From the dowry inventory of the Casa Albizzi of Florence, prepared by Ser Niccolò di Pier Vespucci, notary of the Florentine Studio, for the marriage-negotiations between the Casa Albizzi and the Casa Venier of Venice; signed at Florence the xiijth day of December, anno 1483. The copy retained in the Albizzi private archive. Selected items reproduced.
In the name of the Lord. We, Ser Niccolò di Pier Vespucci, notary of the Florentine Studio, do this xiij December 1483 inventorie the dowry of the magnificent and noble Donna Lucrezia Maria, daughter of the magnificent Signor Tommaso degli Albizzi, betrothed to the noble Signor Pietro Venier of Venice; the said dowry being agreed at three thousand florins in coin and goods, of which the coin moiety hath been transferred this day into the Casa Venier's bench at the Rialto, and the goods moiety being itemised hereunder:
Goods, as inventoried:
- Item. iiij chests of fine Florentine cloth — silk, velvet, embroidered linen — qualities on a separate sheet.
- Item. ij gowns of cremesi velvet, embroidered with pearl-seed; the lining of zibellino.
- Item. j coverlet of zibellino, gift of the Magnificent Signora Albizzi's late father.
- Item. ij silver candlesticks, of the workshop of Maso Finiguerra.
- Item. j Madonna in tempera, of the workshop of Filippo Lippi the elder, bearing the Albizzi arms at the foot.
- Item. iij rosaries — carnelian; coral; one of antique amber.
- Item. j chain of gold, of weight viij oz. v dwt., the workmanship of one Pasqualino di Genova.
- Item. j enamelled cross of silver, paten-fashion, with a fragment of the True Cross at the centre (per attest. of Don Giovanni, the chapel of S. Trinità).
- Item. j colombina d'argento niellata, antica, di pochi denari di peso ma di pregio considerevole per l'iscrizione greca al rovescio (Ω ΧΡΕ Ε, deus misericors) e per essere stata della bisavola della sposa, che la ebbe del suo padre il quale la ebbe dal suo padre, e così via, da non ricordare donde. Con piccola torsione nell'ala sinistra inferiore, riconoscibile per ogni mano che la prenda.
- Item. (the inventory continues with household linens, kitchen-plate, ear-pendants of gold filigree, ij rings set with garnet and amethyst, &c., not reproduced here)
The above goods to be delivered into the Casa Venier in Venice on the day of the marriage (anno 1483 stilo veneto, ergo anno 1484 stilo communi, on Quinquagesima following). In case of dissolution of the betrothal prior to the consummation, the goods are to be returned to the Casa Albizzi in their entirety; the bench-coin moiety to be retained by the Casa Venier pro forma.
Witnessed and sealed, Ser Niccolò di Pier Vespucci, notary