Pesaro was a renowned mariner and admiral who conquered Cefalonia, S Maura and Alessio for Venice. In 1502 he won a celebrated victory over the Ottoman privateer Kemal Reis, bringing a fleet of 50 galleys against him.
The commissione on offer at Christie’s predates that victory and is from Doge Giovanni Mocenigo (1409-85). The 1481 vellum manuscript is lavishly illuminated and appoints Pesaro captain for an expedition to Flanders. The volume is 42 leaves complete and is offered in its contemporary blind-tooled calf over wooden boards with two clasps and catches. It is estimated at £5000-8000.
Doges’ documents
Pesaro’s commissione is one in a collection of Venetian volumes on offer at the London auction house’s July 12 sale of books and manuscripts. The volumes, which give some insight into the political machinations of the maritime republic, date from the 15th to 18th centuries, with offerings from the reigns of five doges.
One of the highest estimates is for Doge Agostino Barbarigo’s (1420-1501) commissione for Gabriele Barbarigo to the post of galley captain for an expedition to Beirut. It is expected to take as much as £12,000.
Another highlight is a commissione for Marco Memmo from Doge Andrea Gritti (1455-1538). The illuminated work appoints the nobleman to the captaincy of Capodistria, a strategically-important port city. The principal binder for the piece is thought to be Andrea de Lorenzo, bookbinder of the parish of San Fantin in Venice who was considered in Europe to be a leading 16th century binder. It has a high estimate of £6000.
Among some of the later works are a 16th century commissione that demonstrates Mamluk and Ottoman-inspired binding and a 17th century copy of a 14th century oath of office, probably made in homage to an ancestor by a member of the Belegno family.
