Altar of the Annunciation

XV – XVIII century

The altar has elements of different styles due to the remakes and modifications it has undergone over the centuries, which have altered its original structure. Certainly the original part, dating back to the 15th century, is still recognisable in the beautiful archivolt frame resting on two square columns with capitals and decorated in relief with flowers, fruit, candelabra, rosettes, animals, faces and cherubs.
The altar table, supported by two well-made corbels with a frontal and shelf in polychrome marble inlay, is Baroque in style, as are the statues of the Virgin and Archangel Gabriel on either side, depicting the Annunciation (XVII century).
The sculptural group has recently been attributed to the Carrarese workshop of Giovanni Baratta.
In the centre of the altar is a wooden and black painted plaster crucifix: it is one of two models – the other is in the sacristy – attributed to the Carrarese sculptor Pietro Tacca, a pupil of Giambologna.

Baptismal font for the lustral water

1527

The baptismal font is a large hexagonal, monolithic basin, which was used for immersion baptisms and for preparing the lustral water at Easter celebrations. One of the panels depicts the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan.
In 2020, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the Rotary Club of Genoa and Carrara – Massa, the font was moved from the Compagnia Grande and placed in the side aisle, where it can be admired today.