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LOST PIECES OF THE GOLDEN TREE OF LUCIGNANO DISCOVERED IN TUSCANY CAVE

Written on 11/08/2023
Mark Milligan


In a press announcement issued by the Studio ESSECI press office, authorities have discovered lost pieces of the Golden Tree of Lucignano, a grandiose reliquary created by the famous Sienese goldsmith, Gabriello d'Antonio.

The reliquary is considered one of the finest masterpieces of Italian goldsmithing, which is a morphological tripartition (roots, trunk, foliage) and contains the metaphor of the life of Christ in the three different phases: origin, passion, and glory.

Measuring 2.70 metres in height, it was created in two stages between 1350 and 1471 from gilded copper, silver and enamel, and features branches decorated with coral, crystals and miniatures on parchment. Today, the reliquary is also known by the name of the Tree of Love, as it is a symbol of good omen for lovers.


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