In Lucignano near Arezzo, thanks to the collaboration of the Carabinieri Unit for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (TPC) of Florence, have recently been discovered some important portions of the so-called Golden Tree of Lucignano, colossal reliquary considered among the absolute masterpieces of Italian goldsmith art. More than one hundred years after the theft in 1914, the recovery of some elements reported lost constitutes an event of great importance.
The announcement of the discovery was made today, during a press conference at the Opificio of the Hard Stones of Florence, by the Commander of the Carabinieri Unit for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Florence Capt. Claudio Mauti, by the President of the Tuscany Region Eugenio Giani, by the Mayor of the Municipality of Lucignano Roberta Casini, by the ABAP Superintendent for the provinces of Siena , Grosseto and Arezzo Gabriele Nannetti and the Superintendent of the Opificio Emanuela Daffra.
The work
Intended for the church of San Francesco in Lucignano, the work was begun in 1350 and completed in 1471, thanks to the generous bequest of a Madonna Giacoma. The fourteenth-century master who conceived and began the work is unknown, while it is documented that it was completed by the Sienese goldsmith Gabriello d'Antonio. In front of it, according to ancient tradition, the inhabitants of Lucignano continue to exchange wedding vows.
The restoration
“The restoration of an exceptional work of our cultural heritage is, once again, entrusted to the care of the Opificio delle pietra dure, an institute of excellence of the Ministry of Culture, belonging to the Directorate presided over by me , in the sectors of conservation, restoration and research. I hope that the parts of the Golden Tree that have not yet been found can be recovered as soon as possible to finally return this work, one of a kind, in its entirety to the community" underlines Dr. Andrea De Pasquale, Director General of Education, research and cultural institutes of the Ministry of Culture.
“It is not just an extraordinary fruit of Italian goldsmith art, the Tree of Life of Lucignano is much more; it is one of those works whose existence is intertwined in an intimate and profound way with the life and feelings of the community that preserves it, helping to define its very identity traits. This is also why the Tuscany Region has decided to finance the restoration work of this masterpiece, which, entrusted to the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, authentic Tuscan and national excellence, will further enhance its precious uniqueness" says Eugenio Giani, President of the Tuscany Region .
The Mayor of Lucignano Roberta Casini hopes that the still missing parts of the Golden Tree can resurface, and in particular the Christ who dominates the reliquary.
The interventions
The interventions will be conducted by the restorers of the Opificio's Goldsmith Sector, directed by Riccardo Gennaioli. The Tree currently made up of around sixty parts will be dismantled in batches, so as not to completely deprive the Lucignano Museum of an identifying work, relocating the restored parts from time to time so as to guarantee visitors an at least partial view of the work .
“The culminating moment of the restoration will be represented – highlights Emanuela Daffra – by the relocation of the recovered elements. The study of historical photographic documentation will be of fundamental help in identifying the original position of these elements. This will clearly involve the reformulation of the assembly system of some parts, the removal of the corresponding additions carried out by the Opificio, a careful check of the statics and overall balances."
Documents
Press Kit and Materials available on the page: https://studioesseci.net/eventi/larancio-doro-di-lucignano-il-rinvenimento-di-sue-parti-e-il-restauro/