The “Medici sceptre” for the City of Florence

It was created by master goldsmith Paolo Penko, who presented it this morning to the councillor responsible for culture, Emiliano Fossi.

This morning on the Piano Nobile of Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Master Goldsmith Paolo Penko presented the Medici Sceptre to the Metropolitan City of Florence, in the person of the Councillor in charge of Culture Emiliano Fossi and the Councillor in charge of Heritage Benedetta Albanese.
The work – in burnished and gilded silver, chiselled and modelled in ciappola, translucent enamel – is inspired by the similar object found in the portraits of the Grand Dukes of the Medici family represented in the picture gallery of Palazzo Medici Riccardi.

The Sceptre will soon be placed in the fireplace room of the Palace, under a glass case.
A symbol of the power of the Medici family, the Sceptre consists of a tripartite lily resting on a sphere. It was made by master Paolo Penko in chiselled and engraved silver, then embellished with translucent enamel.
The handle, in burnished silver, “to the measure of the Florentine arm” is gilded at the end. The jewel measures 64 centimetres.
On the Piano Nobile of Palazzo Medici Riccardi, a personal exhibition by Penko, curated by Anita Valentini (Polistampa catalogue), will be open from 9am to 7pm until Saturday 28 February.
Penko’s solo exhibition is the first in the series “Masters of Artistic Craftsmanship”, organised by the cultural association ‘ModoFiorentino’, in collaboration with Oma-Osservatorio dei Mestieri d’Arte, dedicated to high level artistic craftsmanship, both national and local.