The Golden Gate, the Iron Crown and John VIII Palaeologus, Lithograph, 1842
€ 225
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1842
Mapmaker / artist
Published by Giuseppe Antonelli
Publisher
Giuseppe Antonelli, Venice
Technique
Lithograph
Coloring
Hand colored
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13061-141
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Light wear to the bottom left corner; minor nicks to the left edge. Light age toning; light handling soiling along the edges and a few small spots in the margins. Printed image clean.
About this sheet
An original antique lithograph, hand colored, from the Galleria Universale di Tutti i Popoli del Mondo (Venice, Giuseppe Antonelli, 1842). The upper image shows a monumental gateway of rusticated stone blocks framed by two columns with Corinthian capitals, with another column behind; a file of barefoot soldiers in crested helmets and short white tunics, carrying round shields, marches past it at the left, while at the right a soldier in a gold helmet and crimson tunic rides a chestnut horse with a blue saddlecloth edged in yellow, followed by more men on foot. The lower image shows, on the left, a gold crown in the form of a broad band set with red stones and engraved scrollwork, with hanging pendants; on the right, a gray profile bust of a bearded man wearing a tall domed cap with an upturned pointed brim and a knob at the top, with a light blue wash on the shoulders.
The top margin is lettered "Tom IV", "GRECIA" and "Tav 141". Under the upper image: "Colonna Teodosiana-Porta Aurea" (Theodosian column, Golden Gate). Under the lower image: "Corona Ferrea" (Iron Crown) and "Giovanni 8° Paleologo, col Camelauco" (John VIII Palaeologus, with the camelaucum).
The Porta Aurea, or Golden Gate, was the ceremonial entrance in the land walls of Constantinople built under Theodosius. The Iron Crown, kept in the cathedral of Monza, was used for the coronation of the kings of Italy. John VIII Palaeologus was one of the last Byzantine emperors and attended the Council of Florence in 1438 and 1439; the camelaucum was a domed headdress worn by Byzantine rulers.
A plate of strong historical interest for a collector of Byzantine or Italian history.
Condition: Light wear to the bottom left corner; minor nicks to the left edge. Light age toning; light handling soiling along the edges and a few small spots in the margins. Printed image clean.
This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed. Any framed or interior images are shown for presentation and inspiration only, unless the listing explicitly states that the item is sold framed.
