Naples – After a year and a half of gilded "exile," the throne of the Royal Palace returns home. And it does so with a new robe—resplendent in its original gilding—but above all with a completely rewritten birth certificate.
The symbol of royal power, now repositioned in its namesake room, brings with it a historical revelation that surprised even experts: it was not built by the Bourbons, but by the Savoys.
A historical mystery solved
This is the most sensational news to emerge during today's presentation, which featured Deputy Director Tiziana D'Angelo and Deputy Director of the Gallerie d'Italia in Naples, Antonio Denunzio. Until yesterday, the throne was catalogued as Bourbon-made, dating between 1845 and 1850.
Archival investigations conducted during the months of absence by art historian Antonella Delli Paoli have overturned the chronology: the seat was commissioned by the Savoy family and liquidated only in 1874.
A thirty-year shift in time that not only changes the building's identity, but forces us to reconsider the entire post-unification phase of the Palazzo's furnishing.
The journey and the hi-tech restoration
The throne left Naples on September 12, 2024 (temporarily replaced by an 18th-century seat) for the "La Venaria Reale" Conservation and Restoration Center in Turin. The operation, which lasted seven months, is part of the 20th edition of Intesa Sanpaolo's "Restitutions" program.
As explained by Michela Cardinali, director of the CCR laboratories, the intervention was a technological masterpiece: inspections by CNR scientists, complete digital X-rays to understand the internal structure and, finally, laser cleaning of the gilding, performed without aggressive chemicals.
Before its return, the work was the protagonist of an exceptional tour: first a preview at the Reggia di Venaria, then an exhibition at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome, which concluded on January 18th.
The rediscovered splendor of the Hall
The throne couldn't return to a setting that wasn't up to its new splendor. Therefore, while the throne was en route, work was underway in Naples on the room's textiles. Under the guidance of Paola Ricciardi and in-house restorer Ilaria La Volla, the precious textiles that frame royal power were recovered.
Over the past three months, restorer Graziella Palei has worked on site—under the eyes of visitors—to bring the carpet, the bands of the platform, and the valances back to life, also carrying out a delicate “dusting” of the canopy.
The voices of the protagonists
"The return of the Throne marks the completion of a journey that has profoundly renewed our knowledge," commented the Director General of Museums, Massimo Osanna, underlining how museums are now "active places for the production of knowledge."
Michele Coppola, Executive Director of Art, Culture and Historic Heritage at Intesa Sanpaolo, expressed his satisfaction: "The way we have cared for this artifact demonstrates the spirit of Restituzioni: protecting heritage and returning it to the community in a guise of renewed beauty."
"Today the hall has rediscovered its identity," concluded director Tiziana D'Angelo, celebrating the teamwork that united "financiers, restorers, and art historians," restoring to visitors the regal atmosphere that reigns at the Palazzo.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
The news of the throne returning to Naples is very interesting, but I have doubts about how it was possible for the Savoy family to do so. I've always thought it was Bourbon. Who knows what other truths there are to the story.