By Ellie Doran (@Elena_Doran)
The Mediceo del Principato is a collection of over four million letters from the Medici court, dating from 1537 to 1743.[1] The collection has survived ‘virtually intact’ and now occupies a mile of shelf space at the Archivio di Stato di Firenze (State Archives of Florence).These letters are fascinating sources, offering insight into the personal and emotional lives of the grand ducal family, Florentine courtiers, and those often overlooked by other sources such as servants, entertainers, and children.
Amongst the many letters in this collection is a Christmas list, dated 25 December 1546, written on behalf of Eleonora di Toledo (Duchess of Florence and wife of Cosimo I de’ Medici).[2] The letter is full of charming (and sometimes comic) details, listing the festive food and wine consumed by the family, and instructing on the presents to be given to various family members and courtiers.
Some of my favourite examples include a request for more ‘wine’ to be sent, ‘which will be good, because we have little’. Perhaps the court was indulging during the festive season. Eleanora also requests a basket of sculptured ‘fruit and sugar animals’ which, due to the expense of sugar, were commissioned only for special occasions. Whilst the letter does not specify the types of animals, a recreation made for the Palazzo Pitti’s 2015 exhibition on sugar sculptures and napkin folding demonstrates the wonderful detail of these edible decorations.[3]
The list of presents in the letter ranges from trinkets such as ‘glass animals’, to clothes, devotional items, and even weapons. In some cases, we can glimpse the reactions of family members to certain gifts. For example, ‘his excellency’ (Cosimo I) ‘laughed’ at two ‘tall vases with a twisted mouth’ given to him by a courtier.
This source not only reveals the Christmas rituals of sixteenth century Florence, but also sheds light on the customs of courtly gift giving.[4] Throughout early modern Europe, the exchange of objects was an important way of establishing and solidifying social relationships. The giving of gifts at Christmas time in particular was rooted in the Christian tradition, echoing the gifts given to the Christ Child by the three Magi.[5]
Although nearly 500 years old, the purchasing of special food and drink, and the giving and receiving of gifts described in the letter seem surprisingly familiar to those who celebrate Christmas today.
References:
[1] The Medici Archive Project, ‘Mission’, available here: https://www.medici.org/mission/ [accessed 15 Dec 2023].
[2] Archivio di Stato di Firenze (ASF), Mediceo del Principato (MdP), vol.1172, fol.678r, MAP Doc ID#2468.
[3] ‘Sweet triumphs and exquisite foldings. Sugar sculptures and napkins for the Florentine nuptials of Maria de’ Medici’, curated by Giovanna Giusti, Riccardo Spinelli, Palatine Gallery, Pitti Palace, Florence, 10 March – 7 June 2015, available here: https://www.uffizi.it/en/events/sugar-sculptures-foldings2015 [accessed 18 Dec 2023]. For more on feasting in the early modern period see: Victoria Avery and Melissa Calaresu, Feast & Fast: The Art of Food in Europe 1500-1800, (London, UK : Philip Wilson Publishers, Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, 2019., 2019).
[4] For more on gift giving in the Medici court see: Samuel M. Gallacher, ‘Gift Exchange at the Court of Cosimo I de’Medici (1537-1574)’, unpublished PhD thesis, IMT Institute for Advanced Studies, Lucca, Italy, (2015).
[5] Matthew 2:11 (21st Century King James Version).
Featured Image: Archivio di Stato di Firenze (ASF), Mediceo del Principato (MdP), vol.1172, fol.678r, MAP Doc ID#2468, (C) The Medici Archive Project.
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