[MALTA - SIENA]. Lettera scritta da Roma...per la gloriosa e...

Hammer

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[MALTA - SIENA]. Lettera scritta da Roma...per la gloriosa esaltazione dell'Eminentiss. Marcantonio Zondadari al Gran Magistero della Religione Gerosolimitana. Roma: Tinassi, 1720.
Eighteenth-century celebratory account describing the festivities held in Siena for the election of Marc'Antonio Zondadari as Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller. Zondadari belonged to an ancient Sienese family and was the great-grandnephew of Pope Alexander VII. Educated in Parma and Naples with the intention of entering the Order of Malta, he embarked upon a rapid career that led to the command of a galley and the award of three commanderies. In 1701 he became Chamberlain to Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful; placed in command of the Maltese navy, he effectively reorganised its structures and finances, receiving the Grand Cross and, in 1712, the appointment as ambassador to Pope Clement XI. Elected Grand Master in 1720, he restored discipline within the Order, strengthened the fortifications, promoted trade and reorganised the island's defensive system. Upon his death in 1722, he was buried in St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, in a monument by Massimiliano Soldani Benzi, while his heart was transferred to Siena.

Lettera scritta da Roma al signor Francesco Piccolomini a Siena in cui si descrivono le solenni Feste celebrate dalla Inclita Nazione Sanese per la gloriosa esaltazione dell'Eminentiss. Marcantonio Zondadari al Gran Magistero della Religione Gerosolimitana di S. Giovanni. Rome: Tinassi, 1720. 4to (220 × 160 mm). Engraved frontispiece portrait of Zondadari, plate depicting the triumphal arch erected for the occasion, papal vignette on the title-page, coat of arms and four large half-page vignettes (light but widespread waterstaining). Contemporary full vellum, manuscript title to spine (boards warped). (1)