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Guccio di Mannaia [Malnaia; Malnaggia; Manaie; Mannaie]
( fl 1288–1318). Italian goldsmith. One of the most important goldsmiths of the period, he is first documented on 5 July 1292 in a payment for a seal, in which he is referred to as ‘Guccio Mannaie aurifici’. A further three payments for seals are recorded on 1 January 1294, 4 September 1298 and 7 July 1318. In 1311 he enrolled in the Sienese goldsmiths’ guild. His only signed work is the chalice (silver gilt and translucent enamel; h. 220 mm; Assisi, Tesoro Mus. Basilica S Francesco) made in 1288–92 for Pope Nicholas IV and donated to S Francesco, Assisi. The stem is inscribed GUCCIUS MANAIE DE SENIS FECIT and NICCHO[L]AUS PAPA QUARTUS. The chalice is first described in an inventory of 1370 and is mentioned in successive inventories: that of 1430 refers to a paten (lost) decorated with an enamel of the Last Supper. The chalice is the earliest dated example of basse taille or translucent enamel in Europe, preceding the first known French example by c. 30 years. It is decorated with 96 enamels, arranged from the base to the stem to form a unified iconographic programme related to the Eucharist. The base is decorated with 32 plaques, each framed by a beaded band between which are finely wrought repoussé leaves. The larger quadrilobe plaques depict the Crucifixion and half-length busts of the Virgin, St John, St Francis, St Claire and St Anthony of Padua, the Virgin and Child and a Pope (?Nicholas IV; see GOTHIC, fig. 90). In between, smaller plaques depict the Evangelist Symbols and various animals. The eight-faceted knop has circular enamel medallions of Christ the Redeemer and seven half-length Apostles. The chalice was without immediate precedent; its form was highly influential, and it was never technically superseded. It has been suggested that the fluid lines of the enamels on the chalice reflect contemporary French manuscript illuminations by Master Honoré and his workshop.
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