Francesco Saverio Rossi, 1805: Italian silver sculpture depicting Saint Francis of Paola

The figure of the saint, in embossed and chiseled silver, is depicted in a half-length pose with the characteristic staff and his right hand on his chest.
Hallmarked with the mark in use by the goldsmiths' guild of Naples for silver at of 833/1000 in use from 1832 to 1835, assayer Paolo De Blasio and with the mark of the silversmith Francesco Saverio Rossi; the master's mark was previously noted on a pair of jars that are preserved in the sacristy of the Basilica of St. Nicholas of Bari, and it is known that mel 1835 he executed the statue of St. Luigi Gonzaga for the chapel of the treasure of St. Gennaro.
St. Francis of Paola, a Calabrian hermit and great Thaumaturge of Christian history, is often depicted with a gentilitial shield on which the inscription "Charitas" can be read, and also in this case an oval shield the same inscription is placed on the front of the plinth.
According to tradition, while the saint was absorbed in contemplation, the Archangel Michael appeared before him, with a shield in his hands that looked like a shining sun and in the center of it the inscription in gold letters with a single word: CHARITAS. The Angel handed him the shield and recommended that he make it the coat of arms of his own order, "Francisce, haec erunt insignia tui Ordinis." Francis, to set an example, does not command anything but charity; he does no miracle in which the name of charity does not resound; he does not practice virtue, which does not accompany it with charity.
Resting on a square-shaped base embossed and chiseled with floral motifs.

Item condition grading: **** good.