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Lot 219
A SET OF THREE ITALIAN SILVER HERALDIC 'CARTAGLORIA' FRAMES
APPARENTLY UNMARKED, CIRCA 1580
Closed23 March 2017
Price Realised
GBP 4,750
More Information
Specialist note
THE HOUSE OF BORROMEO
The motto of the Borromeo family, ‘In The Name of Humility’ (humilitas nomini) applied on the present lot is in the same style as that on the tomb of Federico Borromeo (1564-1631) in Milan. The Borromeo dynasty began as a merchant family in San Miniato around 1300. Their name ‘Boun Romei’ (Borromei) evolved from the family’s Roman origins. The following generation founded the Borromei Bank in Milan. From this period until the 17th century, the family gained influence in proportion with their growing territory. The Borromeo ‘state’ burgeoned to almost a thousand square kilometres. It ended officially with the invasion of Napoleon in 1797, however their estates of Rocca d’Angera, Palazzo Borromeo (Milan), Peschiera Borromeo, the Borromean Isalands and Villa Borromeo (Arcore) remain powerful signifiers of the family’s prosperity. Members of the family rose to powerful positions in politics, banking and in the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinal Federico Borromeo (1564-1631) was also styled Marquess of Angera in 1623 by Philipp IV of Spain. The title was adapted in 1916 to the Prince of Angera.
The motto of the Borromeo family, ‘In The Name of Humility’ (humilitas nomini) applied on the present lot is in the same style as that on the tomb of Federico Borromeo (1564-1631) in Milan. The Borromeo dynasty began as a merchant family in San Miniato around 1300. Their name ‘Boun Romei’ (Borromei) evolved from the family’s Roman origins. The following generation founded the Borromei Bank in Milan. From this period until the 17th century, the family gained influence in proportion with their growing territory. The Borromeo ‘state’ burgeoned to almost a thousand square kilometres. It ended officially with the invasion of Napoleon in 1797, however their estates of Rocca d’Angera, Palazzo Borromeo (Milan), Peschiera Borromeo, the Borromean Isalands and Villa Borromeo (Arcore) remain powerful signifiers of the family’s prosperity. Members of the family rose to powerful positions in politics, banking and in the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinal Federico Borromeo (1564-1631) was also styled Marquess of Angera in 1623 by Philipp IV of Spain. The title was adapted in 1916 to the Prince of Angera.