The large Quartz nugget on a superb Italian rosso antico base is a rare relic of the Australian Gold Rush of the 1850’s and 1860’s. It comes from the collection of Cardinal Giacomo Antonelli (April 2, 1806 – November 6, 1876), the “Italian Richelieu”, an Italian he was the Cardinal Deacon, Secretary of State to the Vatican from 1848 until his death. He played a key role in Italian politics, resisting the unification of Italy and thereby affecting Roman Catholic interests in European affairs.
For further details please see my article: A Goldfields Nugget with Papal Connections