DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61668#0257
CHAPTER XI
THE RELIEF OF THE SILVER ALTAR
1477-1480
The Silver Altar of S. Giovanni is perhaps the most
priceless of the art-treasures of Italy, not only for its
intrinsic beauty, but because, thanks to the time that
elapsed between commencement and finish, in its reliefs
the progress of Florentine art can be traced for a
hundred years. It is besides, for its elaborate and
exquisite decorations, one of the marvels of the gold-
smith’s craft.
The original design was not for an Altar, but only a
Dossale which was to be placed upon the Altar for the
exhibition of the relics. It was not until 1483 that
the cornice and base of carved and gilded wood were
added, by which it assumed the dimensions of an
Altar.
Its history is briefly as follows. In the prosperous
years of the fourteenth century it was decided to endow
the Church of S. Giovanni with a Dossale, worthy of
the Republic. The original document of commission is
not forthcoming, but the inscription on the Altar itself
THE RELIEF OF THE SILVER ALTAR
1477-1480
The Silver Altar of S. Giovanni is perhaps the most
priceless of the art-treasures of Italy, not only for its
intrinsic beauty, but because, thanks to the time that
elapsed between commencement and finish, in its reliefs
the progress of Florentine art can be traced for a
hundred years. It is besides, for its elaborate and
exquisite decorations, one of the marvels of the gold-
smith’s craft.
The original design was not for an Altar, but only a
Dossale which was to be placed upon the Altar for the
exhibition of the relics. It was not until 1483 that
the cornice and base of carved and gilded wood were
added, by which it assumed the dimensions of an
Altar.
Its history is briefly as follows. In the prosperous
years of the fourteenth century it was decided to endow
the Church of S. Giovanni with a Dossale, worthy of
the Republic. The original document of commission is
not forthcoming, but the inscription on the Altar itself