The thurible is a liturgical object consisting of a silver vase, hung on three chains, in which incense is burned during religious services. In Genoa starting from the thirteenth century, the alloys that were used by silversmiths for the manufacture of sacred and profane objects had to be the same as those of the coins in circulation. In fact, even the gold and silver bars, which came from the Mint of Genoa, had the same characteristics as the coins and on them was placed the mark of the city, which guaranteed the purity of the noble metal. This mark depicted a stylized castle made up of three towers, of which the highest central one; this marking was mediated by the one that appeared on the front of the first silver coins minted by the Mint of Genoa and symbolically represented the ancient form Civitatis Januae already present on the leaden seal of the Municipality. This brand is therefore known with the name of Torretta.

Bibliography

F. Boggero - F. Simonetti, 18th century Genoese silverware, Turin, U. Allemandi, 2007

G. Roccatagliata, Genoese silverware. The Tower. Catalog of the exhibition, Genoa, Tormena, 1992