^Lot 1600 Gold-plated silver Columbus statue for religious processionals, ex-1715 Fleet, ex-Trabucco.

Gold-plated silver Columbus statue for religious processionals, ex-1715 Fleet. approx. 17 inches tall and 2.8 lbs (total) Research and careful reassembly (per the accompanying photo) revealed that this fascinating artifact, consisting of three main parts and several small pieces (as found), the main part filled with encrustation, is a three-tiered gold vermeil sacramental with Columbus statue at top of a type used in religious processions in the streets of Spanish colonial cities in the Americas. The use of Columbus on a New World church relic is not unusual, as the Spanish culture revered him as the original vehicle for spreading Christianity in the Americas. XRF results: mostly around 30% to 50% gold silver, with parts as high as 67% gold and 31% silver, but some parts as low as 98% silver and 1% gold. From the 1715 Fleet, with Sedwick photo-certificate from 2008 and Karen McKee certificate from 2007, pedigreed to the Trabucco Treasure Auction '93 (January 1993).

Note: The photo with the black background shows the piece assembled for exhibition using clay as temporary support.