Doge Pasquale Cicogna’s seal was reproduced entirely by hand, using the original technique. It is made of thin sheets of pure gold. The repoussé images and lettering on the obverse and reverse were obtained by pressing the gold sheets onto a matrix, and the thin strip that holds the two faces together was soldered and hammered by hand.

The seal is attached to the document by a dark-red-purple silk cord braided with gold threads that runs through two holes in the seal and ends in two elaborate tassels. The particular gold-working techniques are part of the knowhow belonging to the masters and craftsmen of the conservation workshops of the Secret Vatican Archives, which preserve the world’s most prestigious collection of seals.

These replicas of the cord and tassels were made by means what is now a nearly-forgotten craft. After the silk threads have been dyed they are cut, braided and tied by hand to form the tassels.

The replica of the doge’s document is accompanied by the critical edition of the text, together with historical notes and biographies of the persons concerned.

A series of multicolor prints highlight the most significant details of the document’s illuminated border. This splendid decoration was probably made as a tribute to the pope in acknowledgement of his greatness and power. One is struck by the beautiful faces of the women portrayed in the medallions as personifications of the theological virtues, and charmed by the many allegorical figures that enhance this ornate border.

The volume, elegantly bound in parchment with gold lettering on the front and the spine, can certainly be counted as an especially fine art book. The materials used for this publication – parchment and cotton paper – make it possible to guarantee each copy for life.

Dimensions of the document:

Height 482-486 mm, width 688-690 mm, plica 32-37 mm

Dimensions and weight of the seal:

Diameter 33 mm, thickness 6 mm, weight 24.3 grams (± 5-10%), pure gold 999.9

The document’s display case was made entirely by hand. Even the slightest details were reproduced with the same elegance that characterized the originals.

The case consists of two wooden boards lined with a single piece of goatskin parchment made using ancient techniques, and is identical to the ones used very often to hold the documents kept in the Vatican Secret Archives.

The external case, which contains both the document and the critical edition, is fashioned from a single piece of natural Tuscan full-grain leather using ancient techniques; the leather is vegetable-tanned and hand-dabbed.

Dimensions of the leather case: 47 x 32 x 11 cm
Dimensions of the parchment display case: 45 x 30 x 5 cm
Reference: A.A. Arm.I-XVIII, 1302