Jean-Louis Daudet

This fireworks machine was part of the “sumptuous illumination,” by lanterns and torches, of the major buildings in Turin on the occasion of the nuptial alliance between the newly titled Savoy King and his princess cousin. An allegorical representation of the Monteviso, the highest mountain in the Cottian Alps and the source of the Po river that runs alongside Turin, it was erected in the piazza in front of the Royal Palace. The text describes the figures in detail, dwelling on “The River Po,

seated over a great Conch, crowned by reeds, with Remus at his right and leaning on an urn to his left, from which pours a great abundance of water, that divides in many streams and reunites below in a great basin. In front of it were painted various forest deities, and raised on pedestals 4 Atlases, each carrying on his

back a great ball, one representing Sardinia, one Savoy, another Piedmont, and the other Lorraine. All of these balls were destined to throw fireworks…” as were the pine cones, garlands, and statue of Hymen at the top.