Papa Giovanni XXIII (Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli - Sotto il Monte, 25 novembre 1881 - Città del Vaticano, 3 giugno 1963)

The parchment in the center of the upper short side bears the coat of arms of Pope John XXIII (Gules, a fess argent, a natural closed tower with windows sable throughout and flanked at the head by two fleurs-de-lis argent, with the patriarchal head of Venice argent, a winged lion passant, guardant and haloed, holding in its dexter fore paw an open book bearing the inscription PAX TIBI MARCE EVANGELISTA MEUS, all argent) and all around a frame of leaves and buds colored in shades of blue, pink, green and orange, with gold-colored details in relief, which unites 4 applications made in embossment on round leather plaques with gold-colored frames, masterfully depicting architectural details of the Roman basilicas of St. Peter's, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls. The parchment is signed "E. VILLA" at the bottom left.

The parchment was likely prepared to be completed with a photograph of the Pope, along with his "dedication and signature," to be given to a faithful member for a particularly important event or an apostolic blessing.

Parchment in excellent condition, frame with signs of aging and scattered missing sections of leather, contemporary glass. Frame measures approximately 61 x 76 cm, parchment approximately 42 x 58 cm.