Marco Sannazaro

Petala aurea(gold petals) is the term used in early medieval treatises for the thin sheets of gold leaf or bracteae used in jewellery. The book presents the 47 items of gold leaf, with some exceptions in silver alloy, owned by the Rovati family of Monza, industrialists and art collectors. Exhibited for the first time in Monza in the chapel of the Villa Reale, the Rovati Collection makes a major contribution to the study and understanding of early medieval jewellery. The items, most of which date from the 6th and 7th century and consist primarily of bracteae, include small crosses of Longobard origin and thin pieces of different shapes with holes, probably for application to fabrics or various other supports. There are also ornamental items of silver and copper alloy. The lack of clear stylistic definition reflects the cultural contamination of the period and makes it difficult to identify their geographic origin and the cultural sphere of reference. While some items are unquestionably early Byzantine, others reflect Barbarian tastes and can in some cases be regarded as produced in northern Italy. The precious light shed on the artistic, cultural and religious spheres contributes to a reconstruction of a society for which, by virtue of the frequent presence of the Longobard court in the 6th and 7th century, Monza constitute a key point of contact between peoples of different cultural traditions.