Feast of St. John 2020

The Crosses of St John

HOMAGE TO THE ARCHBISHOPRIC AND THE MUNICIPALITY OF FLORENCE ON THE DAY OF THE PATRON SAINT

On the occasion of the Feast of St John the Baptist, the Society of St John the Baptist presents the authorities of Florence with a cross reproducing the sacred symbol represented in a painting or sculpture, in one of the works produced over time by the splendid Renaissance art.

The St. John’s Cross is traditionally donated by the Penko Family.

The work, made of silver, completely handmade, pierced, chiselled and engraved with a burin, is embellished with the penkato technique and is embellished with 4 pearls.

The pearls with golden reflections, facing the four cardinal points, are the very symbol of Christ, and fully represent the mystery of God, with the perfection of spherical pearls and their illuminated surface.

The tribute, which is part of the centuries-old Florentine tradition of precious craftsmanship, consists of a base representing the tiburium of one of the oldest monuments of Florentine civilisation: the Baptistery.

This gave rise to two symbols of the city, one civil and the other religious: the Florentine Lily, embellished with the coat of arms of the Society of St John the Baptist, and the Cross.

The Cross is inspired by the one depicted in the panel painting by Francesco del Cossa, kept in the Pinacoteca di Brera.