Antique Map of Italy with Female National Allegories

Among the many invaluable items I’m currently archiving for a friend is a beautiful antique map of Italy dating from the papacy of Pope Clement XII (1730-1740). Nicely detailed, I especially love the illustration in the lower left-hand corner showing the female personification of the various states of Italy offering fealty to the Holy Father. Among them can be seen the twin effigies of Naples and Sicily presenting the obligatory white horse (chinea) given in homage to the Supreme Pontiff as feudal Suzerain of the kingdoms.

The custom is said, by some, to have originated with the Normans in 1053 following their victory over Pope St. Leo IX. Others claim it began in 1059 when Pope Nicholas II made Robert Guiscard the Duke of Apulia, Calabria, and Sicily at Melfi. In addition to the prized horse, 12 Pavian denarii were imposed for each yoke of oxen in the newly conquered lands. Periodically changed over the centuries, this was later fixed to 7,000 golden ducats by Pope Leo X during the investiture of Emperor Charles V in 1521. The tribute was presented to the Holy See each year with great pomp on June 28th, the vigil of the feast of Saints Peter and Paul.

Further reading
• "Pius VI and the French Revolution," Donat Sampson, The American Catholic Quarterly Review, Vol. XXXI. No. 121, January to October, 1906, pp. 413-440