BEAUTIFUL PECTORAL CROSS OF CARDINAL ALESSANDRO MATTEI (ROME, 1744–1820), PROBABLY PRESENTED BY POPE PIUS VII. Filigree gold cross (585) decorated with filigree foliage motifs on a tubular copper alloy core, fleuron motifs at the corners, surmounted by a heart bearing the interlaced “AM” monogram of Cardinal Alessandro Mattei, supported by two gold eagles (750), attached to a rosary-style chain composed of faceted 14k gold beads (585e) and alternating with filigree rosette motifs in 18k gold (750e). Preserved in its original leather case lined with crimson silk velvet. Italian work, probably from the Vatican, early 19th century. No visible hallmark. Expert: Mr. Maxime CHARRON. H: 12.5 x W: 9.5 cm. L: 64 cm (total). Total weight: 92.4 g. (minor distortions) History: Born in 1744 in Rome, Alessandro Mattei was appointed Archbishop of Ferrara in 1777, then created a cardinal in pectore in 1779. Imprisoned by Napoleon Bonaparte during the Italian Campaign, he was released in 1796 and chosen by the pope to negotiate the Treaty of Tolentino, which had been imposed by the French Republic. Exiled from Rome by order of Emperor Napoleon in 1810, he was among the 13 cardinals who refused to attend the emperor’s wedding to Marie-Louise: forced to renounce his cardinal’s purple, he was exiled to the Ardennes, then to the Gard region. Freed upon the fall of the Empire, he accompanied Pope Pius VII on his return to Rome. He was appointed Cardinal-Bishop of Ostia, Dean of the College of Cardinals in 1814, and later Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.