A Noteworthy Eighteenth–Century Neapolitan Silverwork in Acquaviva Cathedral
The crypt of the Cathedral church at Acquaviva delle Fonti (Bari) holds two valuable works of art created by Neapolitan silversmiths during 17th and 18th century. The former – an Holy Sacrament altar the silver front of which was executed in the late Cinquecento – was crowned with a majestic tower–shaped tabernacle at the end of 17th century. The second is a silver altar dedicated to the Madonna of Constantinople, dated to 18th century. The essay shows documents that help us to ascertain the date as well as the authorship of this altar. The antependium was made by Biagio Guariniello in 1708; later, between 1752 and 1754, the brothers Gennaro and Baldassarre De Blasio carried out the upper part of the work, including a silver leaf background that coats the rear wall. The altar of the Madonna of Constantinople testifies a steady demand – in Puglia – for works of art coming from the capital of the Kingdom of Naples, and, besides this, it reveals two different stylistic treatments: the front by Guariniello is still linked to late–Baroque taste – as we can see in the extremely fine decoration – whereas the scenographic upper structure by the De Blasio brothers already shows rococo features.
