Anatomical Theater, Bologna

Anatomical theater in the Archiginnasio, University of Bologna. The theater, made from floor-to-ceiling carved wood, was designed by the architect and sculptor Antonio Levanti around 1637 and finished around 1737. It had to be heavily reconstructed after WWII (Atlas Obscura, Bologna Welcome). Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz.

Telamones in the form of spellati (skinless figures) by Ercole Lelli in the anatomical theater of the Archiginnasio, University of Bologna. The canopy they support holds an allegorical figure of Anatomy, along with a putti clutching a bone. See Cushing, Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, v 9, n 3, 204–05. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz.

Carved figures on the ceiling of the anatomical theater in the Archiginnasio, University of Bologna. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz.

Anatomical theater of the Archiginnasio, University of Bologna. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz.

Carved wooden figures on the ceiling of the anatomical theater in the Archiginnasio, University of Bologna. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz.

One of two spellati (skinless figures) from 1734 by Ercole Lelli in the anatomical theater of the Archiginnasio, University of Bologna. Lelli later created the standing, full-size, wax-and-bone anatomical figures at Palazzo Poggi. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz.

One of two spellati from 1734 by Ercole Lelli in the anatomical theater of the Archiginnasio, University of Bologna. Lelli later created the standing, full-size, wax-and-bone anatomical figures at Palazzo Poggi. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz.

Baroque pearls of Palazzo Pitti

Pendant in the shape of a merman or siren with baroque pearl, enamel, and jewels. Treasury of the Grand Dukes, Palazzo Pitti, Florence. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz/Joshua Albers.

The Treasury of the Grand Dukes—still sometimes referred to as the Museo degli Argenti, or Silver Museum—in Palazzo Pitti includes the many objets d’art commissioned or purchased by the Medici during their centuries as Florence’s preeminent family.

Pitti’s treasury is home to an incredible diversity of curious, experimental, and finely executed objects. Perhaps the most quintessential examples of this small-scale creativity, however, are found in the Medici’s collection of baroque pearls.

Generally speaking, “baroque pearls” are simply pearls of irregular shape. During the Renaissance, Mannerist, and Baroque periods, such pearls were prized by European jewelers who used them to form the bodies of human, animal, mythological, or grotesque figures.

Information on the Pitti’s collection of pearls was scarce, but most of the pieces were probably made in the late 16th century or 17th century. They may have entered the Medici collection around that time, and seem at least to have been among Anna Maria Luisa de’Medici’s prized possessions in the 18th century.

Neither Josh nor I are certain who took these pictures, so we are both credited in the captions.

Pendant with baroque pearl, jewels, and cloisonné in the shape of a dragon. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz/Joshua Albers.

Figurine of Swiss soldier in enameled gold, baroque pearl, and gems, 1680 (info credit: Getty Images). Treasury of the Grand Dukes, Palazzo Pitti, Florence. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz/Joshua Albers.

Pendant in the shape of a lion with baroque pearl, gems, and gold. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz/Joshua Albers.

Jewel-encrusted baroque pearl in the shape of a rooster holding a caduceus from the Collection of Anna Maria de’Medici (1667–1743) in the Treasury of the Grand Dukes, Palazzo Pitti, Florence. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz/Joshua Albers.

Mermaid or siren pendant, Treasury of the Grand Dukes, Palazzo Pitti, Florence. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz/Joshua Albers.

Dragon figurine. Treasury of the Grand Dukes, Palazzo Pitti, Florence. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz/Joshua Albers.

Pendant of sea-horse with putti rider. Treasury of the Grand Dukes, Palazzo Pitti, Florence. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz/Joshua Albers.

Figurine of man holding vase of flowers (?). Treasury of the Grand Dukes, Palazzo Pitti, Florence. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz/Joshua Albers.

Pendant of winged mer-person holding a mirror. Treasury of the Grand Dukes, Palazzo Pitti, Florence. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz/Joshua Albers.

Monkey figurine, Treasury of the Grand Dukes, Palazzo Pitti, Florence. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz/Joshua Albers.

Rabbit pendant. Treasury of the Grand Dukes, Palazzo Pitti, Florence. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz/Joshua Albers.

Deer pendant. Treasury of the Grand Dukes, Palazzo Pitti, Florence. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz/Joshua Albers.

Horse and rider figurine. Treasury of the Grand Dukes, Palazzo Pitti, Florence. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz/Joshua Albers.