Opulent certificate known as "Patent of Nobility, " inscribed on decorated parchment membranes and bound in a fine leather binding, all housed in an elegant box. Bestowed upon Salomon (Shlomo) Parente of Trieste by Emperor Franz Josef I in recognition of the former’s participation in the 1873 Vienna World’s Fair and his contribution to its success. Vienna, December 20, 1873. German.
This elaborate certificate bestows the title of "Freiherr" (equivalent to the title of "Baron") – along with the privilege of acquiring an aristocratic coat of arms – upon the Jewish businessman Salomon Parente of Trieste. The document is personally signed by Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria-Hungary, Foreign Minister Dr. Joseph Freiherr von Lasser-Zollheim, and Adolph Löhr, a minister in the Royal Cabinet.
The certificate is inscribed in black ink on four thick parchment membranes. The opening initials, heading titles, and names of noteworthy individuals are all highlighted in gilt ink and decorated with the colors red and blue. The text on all four sheets is framed with a border engraving adorned with the emblems of the Austro-Hungarian Imperial House; the name of the engraver, Carl Gernetl, appears in the margin of the last page.

Salomon (Shlomo) Parente (born in Trieste, 1807 or 1808; died 1890), merchant and businessman, senior executive of the Assicurazioni Generali insurance company, son of Aharon Yitzhak Parente of Trieste (1775-1853). Aharon was also a well-known merchant and businessman, from whom Salomon inherited the position of President of the Trieste Chamber of Commerce. Not much is known concerning the biography of Salomon Parente other than the details appearing in this particular certificate, as well as the fact that, from 1832 to 1855, he was the owner of the renowned "Rothschild Miscellany, " the "Rothschild Haggadah, " and other important Italian-Hebrew manuscripts, before finally selling these items to the Paris branch of the Rothschild family. Other members of the Parente family were known to have been involved in trade and banking in Trieste and its environs in the 19th century, in partnership with the Morpurgo family.
This certificate attests to Salomon Parente’s position as President of the Trieste Chamber of Commerce and Trade; various titles bestowed upon him by the Duchies of Braunschweig, Saxony, and Nassau; and finally, his prominent contribution to the success of the 1873 Vienna World’s Fair ("Weltausstellung 1873 Wien"), in recognition of which he and his descendants were awarded the title of "Freiherr" ("Baron"), along with the privilege of bearing an aristocratic coat of arms. A fine representation of the Parente Family Coat of Arms appears further on in the certificate, along with a precise, detailed explanation of each of its elements.
The parchment membranes are bound in a thick and particularly elaborate leather binding, created and signed by the official Court Bookbinder, "L. Groner K.K. Hofbuchbinder." The front of the binding is adorned with brass arabesque ornaments, blue-and-white enamel ornaments, and blue gemstones. In the center of the front binding is the Parente Family Coat of Arms, made of cast brass ornamented with pieces of painted enamel. The spine is strung with a gilt cloth cord ending with a large brass medallion stamped with the emblem of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The medallion can be opened to reveal a red wax impression seal of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The document and its binding are housed in an especially elegant wooden box, coated in leather on the outside and lined with fabric on the inside, and equipped with a lock mechanism (lock itself missing). It has an impression forming the border along the edges, and brass ornaments at the corners. The lid of the box is adorned in the middle with a large brass ornament consisting of the monogram, surmounted by a crown, of Salomon Parente’s initials, "SP."

[4] leaves, 39 cm. Box: 44X34X10 cm. Leaves in good condition, with few stains. Minor blemishes to wax impression seal. Blemishes and scratches to leather. Two brass corner ornaments missing. Blemishes to leather of corners lacking brass ornaments. Blemishes and wear to fabric.