Papal State hallmarks and marks by silversmith Stefano Fedeli (1794-1870), Rome, second quarter of the 19th century. Weight: 1.172 kg.

Born in Rome in 1794, Stefano Fedeli was licensed master by the College of Goldsmiths and Silversmiths of Sant'Eligio in October 1815, receiving the marks visible on this inkwell, which Fedeli used until 1866. The same mark can be found in other artifacts in silver, both sacred and civil, including a large group representing "Ulysses with Argo" (C.G. Bulgari, "Argentieri gemmari e orafi d'Italia", Rome 1958, part one, tav. XXV). Some examples of sacred silverware assigned to Fedeli are preserved in many churches in Rome: among others, a chalice decorated with leaf motifs in the Chiesa del Gesù, one with small figures representing the Theological Virtues in S. Maria in Portico in Campitelli, a couple of censers dated 1830 in S. Marcello al Corso and, in the same church, a molten, embossed and chiseled silver chalice in a neoclassical style. Among the silver objects for private use, several examples are preserved in the Fornari collection (see S. Fornari, "Gli argenti romani", Rome 1968), including models of inkwells and sugar bowls.

Comparative Literature: C. G. Bulgari, "Argentieri gemmari e orafi d'Italia", Rome 1958, parte prima, p. 437
S. Fornari, "Gli argenti romani", Rome 1968
V. Donaver e R. Dabbene, "Argenti italiani dell'Ottocento", volume secondo, punzoni di argentieri italiani, Milan 1989, p.182 n°1128.