The Impressive Treasures of the Museo Diocesano di Livorno

Think 'Tuscany' and most will tend to think of the city of Florence but don't tell that the Livornese. Livorno is the third most populous city in the region. It is the capital city of the province of Livorno and a historically important port city that has had a healthy rivalry with its Tuscan sister cities like Florence. 

Livorno has its own connections to the power Medici family and as a busy port, the city became prosperous. An echo of this historical prominence and prosperity can perhaps be seen in the impressive collections of liturgical art found within the Museo Diocesano di Livorno.

The Museum contains an impressive range of objections, including a wide range of historical liturgical vestments, pontificals, metalwork, painting, sculpture and more. 

Today, I've taken the liberty of plucking of just a small sampling of some of the collection, selecting those pieces which I believe are likely to be of most interest to our readers. The one thing I hope you will take from this is that it is certainly worth the day trip to the Museum if you're visiting the region.

A black 'Arma Christi' chasuble

A black cope with the Holy Face

A black chasuble with panels showing the Scourging at the Pillar, Christ Carrying the Cross and the Crucifixion. Take note as well of the intertwined thorns that make up the equivalent of galloons.

A purple cope in the sort of floriated pattern that was popular within the 18th century.

Various mitra pretiosa and pontifical gloves.

18th or 19th cent.

The central altar card, made in 1821.

The Gospel Card and the Lavabo Card, made in 1821.

A 15th century Graduale. 

Precious coverings of metal and velvet for liturgical books

Pontifical Bugia and Basin,. The Bugia is from the 19th cent. while the basin dates to 1749.

A pair of silver cruets, likely for use in the Pontifical Mass

Thurible, 1737.

Monstrance, made in 1692

One of the many reliquaries on display. This one is dated to sometime in the 18th century.

Two reliquaries. That on the left is Roman manufacture and dated to circa 1690-1710. That on the right is dated to 1780-90.

A beautiful tabernacle made of precious marbles and lapis lazuli. Made in 1820.

Medieval panels from the School of Giotto, 1310.

Missale Romanum, 1593.

-------

Do you like Liturgical Arts Journal's original content? You can help support LAJ in its mission and vision to promote beauty in Catholic worship either by: 

Making a one-time donation or

Subscribing monthly/yearly 

You choose the amount! Your support makes all the difference.