Pace di Valentino

Pace di Valentino (also known as Pacino; Pacino Orafo){{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3_FGAQAAIAAJ&q=pace+di+valentino+orafo&pg=PA462|title=Duccio: Siena fra tradizione bizantina e mondo gotico|last=Bagnoli|first=Alessandro|date=2003-01-01|publisher=Silvana|language=it}} was a Sienese goldsmith active from 1257 to 1296.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ucXz26HOwPgC&q=pace+di+valentino+orafo&pg=PA165|title=L'arte a Firenze nell'età di Dante (1250-1300)|last1=Tartuferi|first1=Angelo|last2=Scalini|first2=Mario|date=2004-01-01|publisher=Giunti Editore|isbn=9788809036956|language=it}} Little is known about his early life, but he was probably born between 1230 and 1235. Though working chiefly in Siena, he also was established for a time in Pistoia, and received numerous commissions from different popes.

Commissions

The first documented reference to Pace di Valentino is for two seals made in 1257.{{Cite web|url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/pace-di-valentino_(Dizionario-Biografico)/|title=PACE di Valentino in "Dizionario Biografico"|website=www.treccani.it|access-date=2017-01-30}} In 1265 he received two significant commissions: the first was for a large golden chalice ("calicem magnum di auro") weighing about 11 pounds and a corresponding paten, both of which are now lost; the second was for an elaborate gold-plated silver book cover. These were items not made for daily use, and having received these requests suggests that he was well known and well regarded in his field. Other notable works attributed to him include the chalice of San Atto made {{circa|1270}}, and numerous figures in the late 13th-century Altar of St. James found the Pistoia Cathedral.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E2CTAgAAQBAJ&q=%22pace+di+valentino%22&pg=PT949|title=Medieval Italy: An Encyclopedia|last=Kleinhenz|first=Christopher|date=2004-08-02|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781135948801|language=en}} Some art historians suggest that he made the reliquary of San Galgano's head, now found in Siena's Museo dell'Opera del Duomo,{{Cite web|url=http://www.operaduomo.siena.it/museo_approfondimento.htm|title=Opa - cattedrale panorama museo cripta battistero oratorio siena|website=www.operaduomo.siena.it|access-date=2017-01-31}} although this is disputed by others. In addition, other extant documents indicate the details of his purchases of gold, silver, pearls, beads, and precious stones for use in his shop, as well as details of payments for works commissioned.

He was the first Sienese goldsmith to work for the papal court (under popes Nicholas III, Martin IV, Honorius IV, and Boniface VIII) and was actively working for Boniface VIII in the region of Montefiascone until at least 1296.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cucRAQAAIAAJ&q=%22pace+di+valentino%22|title=Benedetto XI: papa domenicano (1240-1304)|last=Viganò|first=Alberto|date=2006-01-01|publisher=Nerbini|isbn=9788888625430|language=it}} He was influential on other goldsmiths of the following generation, including Guccio di Mannaia.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pCQ4AQAAIAAJ&q=pace+di+valentino+guccio+di+mannaia&pg=PA182|title=Splendori Di Assisi. Capolavori Dal Museo Della Basilica Di San Francesco. Catalogo Della Mostra (1998-99)|edition= Inglese|author=Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.)|date=1999-01-01|publisher=Electa|isbn=9788843569328|language=en}}

Images

Altare argenteo di San Jacopo 01.jpg|The Altar of St. James in the Pistoia Cathedral

File:Opera San Galgano 01.JPG|Reliquary of the head of San Galgano

File:Opera San Galgano 02.JPG|Reliquary of the head of San Galgano (detail)

File:Opera San Galgano 03.JPG|Reliquary of the head of San Galgano (detail)

References

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