Cassa segreta vecchia (1500-1598) e nuova (1598-1800)
Item
Country
IT
Name of institution (English)
State Archives of Modena
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
ita
Contact information: postal address
Corso Cavour 21, 41121 Modena
Contact information: phone number
0039 059230549
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
as-mo@beniculturali.it
Reference number
Cassa Vecchia Segreta
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
Old (1500-1598) and new (1598-1800) secret boxes
Title (official language of the state)
Cassa segreta vecchia (1500-1598) e nuova (1598-1800)
Language of title
ita
Creator / accumulator
Camera marchionale estense, later Camera ducale estense
Date(s)
1500/1800
Language(s)
ita
Extent
972 folders and 14 files
Type of material
Textual Material
Physical condition
Satisfactory
Scope and content
The Cassa segreta vecchia (1500-1598) e nuova (1598-1800) fonds comprises a collection of selected accounting records. Among these records, Leoni (2011) identified a letter from Henrique Nunes to the Duke of Ferrara (busta 12), informing him on the purchase of 40 bales of Spanish wool, whose payment was to be made via Don Isaac Abravanel. The letter was written in Florence on August 29, 1556.
Archival history
The name of this fonds derived from its records, since considered of particular importance, had been archived in a cabinet called the "cassa segreta" (secret box). It is part of the Camera ducale, one of the fonds that constituted the Archivio Camerale. The Archivio Camerale, together with the Archivio segreto estense, formed the two archival deposits of the Estense state. They were kept together in the Palazzo Ducale at least since the late 18th century. After the Italian unification, around 1862, both were transferred to the Archivio generale di deposito in Corso Cavour, which became the seat of the government archives, thus renamed Archivio governativo. This transfer marked the birth of the current Archivio di Stato di Modena, which was only so named after 1874.
The Camera ducale fonds was subject to several losses over its history, currently reflected on the serious gaps and interruptions of some fundamental series. Eighteenth-century inventories of the central core of the archive as well as other old catalogues, most of them disorganised, fragmentary and not always corresponding to the current arrangement, are preserved in the Vecchi inventari e note d'archivio fonds.
The Camera ducale fonds was subject to several losses over its history, currently reflected on the serious gaps and interruptions of some fundamental series. Eighteenth-century inventories of the central core of the archive as well as other old catalogues, most of them disorganised, fragmentary and not always corresponding to the current arrangement, are preserved in the Vecchi inventari e note d'archivio fonds.
Administrative / Biographical history
The Camera is considered the oldest body in which the organisation of the Estense state took place. It was responsible for the administration of the income and expenses of every kind pertaining or related to the sovereign or the ruling family, and even individual members of the Este family. At least until the second half of the 18th century, the "fattori general" (general factors) headed the Camera. There was usually two "fattori", who served as proxies of the prince in economic and financial matters. They collegially constituted the Tribunale fattorale, and were assisted by other officers, including one or more "notai camerali" (Chamber notaries), who were responsible for drafting the deeds.
During the 18th century, the structure and functioning of the Camera suffered profound changes, particularly in matters of tax collection. In this framework of institutional renewal, the old system of general "fattori# and, therefore, the Camera government evolved to the Azienda camerale (Chamber treasury), a new structure with a president and councillors. In 1768, the Consiglio di economia (Council of Economics) was created, heading all offices and magistrates with economic and financial responsibilities.
During the 18th century, the structure and functioning of the Camera suffered profound changes, particularly in matters of tax collection. In this framework of institutional renewal, the old system of general "fattori# and, therefore, the Camera government evolved to the Azienda camerale (Chamber treasury), a new structure with a president and councillors. In 1768, the Consiglio di economia (Council of Economics) was created, heading all offices and magistrates with economic and financial responsibilities.
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Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Carla Vieira, 2022
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| Archivio di Stato di Modena | Collections (official language of the state) |