1966.114.2.b
Pius IX (1792–1878), Pope 1846–1878, Reconsecration of the Basilica of St. Paul
Artist
Ignazio Bianchi
(active 1848 - 1869)
Title
Pius IX (1792–1878), Pope 1846–1878, Reconsecration of the Basilica of St. Paul
Creation Date
1854
Century
mid-19th century
Dimensions
3 1/4 in. (8.2 cm.)
Classification
Medals/Plaquettes
Creation Place
Europe, Italy
Medium and Support
bronze
Credit Line
Gift of Amanda Marchesa Molinari
Copyright
Public Domain
Accession Number
1966.114.2.b
After a fire destroyed the Basilica of St. Paul in 1823 (see medal 08.03), international efforts to rebuild the Church began posthaste. On December 10, 1854, Pius IX consecrated the mostly rebuilt Church, although restoration would continue well into the twentieth century. This magnificent medal commemorates the consecration and depicts the interior of a restored portion of the Basilica in painstaking detail. There are several subsequent Pius IX medals that feature detailed interior views of buildings on the reverse, attesting to the popularity of this subject matter and astounding perspectival depth.
Object Description
216 PIUS IX Mastai-Ferretti, Pope 1846-78 1854
Obv. Bust to left, wearing skullcap, mozzetta and stole. Around, PIVS IX . PONT . MAX . ; below, I . BIANCHI F .
Rev. Interior of Basilica of Saint Paul. Around, PIVS . IX . P . M . BASILICAM . PAVLI . APOST . AB . INCENDIO . REFECTAM . SOLEMNI . RITV . CONSECRAVIT . IV . ID . DEC . MDCCCLIV *; below, I . BIANCHI . F . ; in exergue, AL . POLETTI . ARCH . INV .
Bronze, struck, 82 mm.
The Basilica of Saint Paul, which had burned in 1823, was rebuilt under Pius and his predecessors. Although a team of architects was employed, most of the work was done by Luigi Poletti (1793-1869), beginning in 1833. This medal commemorates the reconsecration of the church in 1854.
Bibl.: Mazio (1885), no. 730; Martinori, fasc. xxiii-xxiv, p. 138.
