Papal States, Saint Sylvester Cross and Gregory XVI Medals, Plate XXX, 1844

This is an original antique wood engraving, colored by hand with watercolor, showing insignia and medals of the Papal States. At upper left a gold eight-pointed cross with a blue ring around a gold bust of a crowned and haloed figure hangs on a crimson and black striped ribbon, with its round reverse below. At upper right is a large brown medal with an oak wreath around a central inscription, on a white and orange ribbon. At middle left a gold medal with a papal profile, framed by a green laurel wreath, hangs from crossed keys under a tiara on a white and orange ribbon. At middle right a small gold cross with a white center hangs from a gold laurel suspension on a crimson and black ribbon. At the foot two small medals, gold and silver, hang from crossed keys under tiaras on a long white and orange ribbon: the gold with a papal bust, the silver with a winged child holding a scroll.

The running head reads "ÉTATS DE L'ÉGLISE." (States of the Church) and the plate number "XXX." The items are numbered 12 to 16. The cross numbered 12 reads "SANC SILVESTER P.M." (Saint Sylvester, Supreme Pontiff), naming the Order of Saint Sylvester, and its reverse "GREGORIVS XVI RESTITVIT MDCCCXL." (Gregory XVI restored it, 1840). The large medal 13 is lettered "BENEMERENTI" (to the well deserving). The medal 15 and the gold medal of 16 read "GREGORIUS XVI PONT. MAX." (Gregory XVI, Supreme Pontiff), and the silver medal of 16 has "BENEMERENTI" on its scroll. The cross 14 is not lettered.

The plate comes from Ordres de Chevalerie et Marques d'Honneur, published by Auguste Wahlen in Brussels by the Librairie Historique-Artistique, rue de Schaerbeek, 12, in 1844. The half title reads Histoire, costumes, décorations de tous les ordres de chevalerie, et marques d'honneur. Auguste Wahlen was the pen name of the Belgian writer Jean-François-Nicolas Loumyer (1801 to 1875), and the title page lists his own knighthoods in the orders of Prussia, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Hanover, Greece, the Roman States, Saxe-Coburg and Brazil.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.