Pio IX Amnesty Memorial Handkerchief

Commemorative handkerchief printed on white canvas.
A yellow border bears on all four sides, the words "Evviva Pio IX".
The central area, framed by a black and white decoration, shows the beamed bust of Pope Pius IX in the centre, breaking the clouds above the words "Pius IX to his faithful subjects health and apostolic blessing". On the four sides, around the effigy of the pontiff, the message on the granting of the amnesty winds in cursive letters interrupted, at the corners, by the Pius IX coat of arms (keys of St. Peter and triregno above the coat of arms of the Mastai Ferretti family, whose blue field is filled in tempera on the print) and even interrupted, in the center of each side, by four allegorical representations, each one underneath a scroll bearing the words "Evviva Pio IX".
These allegories are,
Bottom; lamb lying on an open book set on a cross;
Right; chalice with host, dove and stole;
Above: branch with what appears to be a hive surrounded by bees;
Left: scales and axe on a book.
At the end of Pius IX's message, the date is indicated: "die XVI julii anni MDCCCXLVI"

en Handkerchief

Pope Pio IX

July 16 1846

Printed and painted canvas

83 cm (W)

72 cm (H)

Lucia Pigozzo