ITALY - STATES OF THE FATHER - Pius IX (Jean-Marie... Lot 34

ITALY - STATES OF THE FATHER - Pius IX (Jean-Marie Mastai Ferretti) Important medal in SILVER, made for the restoration of the Basilica of Saint Paul. Circa 1854. Obverse, inscribed "PIVS IX - MAX BRIDGE", bust in profile of the Supreme Pontiff Pius IX facing left. Reverse: View of the interior of the Basilica and inscribed "PIUS IX. P. M. BASILICAM PAVLI. APOST. AB. FIRE. REFECTAM SOLEMNI RITV CONSECRAVIT IV ID DEC MDCCCLIV". Diameter: 82 mm - Engraver: BIANCHI Francesco (1842-1918) - Weight: 276.5 g - Slice: smooth - Without punch. (scratches and blows on the edges of the slice). During the pontificate of Pius VII, on the night of 15-16 July 1823, a fire destroyed most of the building, but the apse, transept and cloister were not damaged. Leo XII took care of the reconstruction of the building, which began in 1825. It was decided to keep the early Christian plan and to build a new building. Giuseppe Valadier's project was accepted by the Holy See. However, the Commission for Reconstruction entrusted the work to Pasquale Belli (it). After his death, Luigi Poletti succeeded him as head of the work, which was completed in 1831. On 5 October 1840 Pope Gregory XVI consecrated the nave and celebrated the first Mass at the pontifical altar. Finally, Pius IX consecrated the entire church on 10 December 1854, the probable date of the completion of our medal. Provenance: - Collection of an Apostolic Nuncio from the mid-19th century. - Kept in his family until today.