Flower and Door Knocker [reverse]

c. 1441

Amadio da Milano

Associated Names
Amadio Amedei, called Amadio da Milano

Artist, Ferrarese, died c. 1483

The image shows a circular medallion with a central sculpture of an emblem depicting a serpent or dragon-like creature coiled around a staff. Surrounding the central sculpture are elegant designs resembling wings or flames. The medallion is made of bronze with a brown metallic finish and areas of wear revealing lighter tones. There is a small circular hole at the top, potentially for hanging or mounting. Engraved text along the edge adds to its detailed and antiquated appearance.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 5.14 cm (2 in.)
    gross weight: 48.48 gr (0.107 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.620.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a relief medallion featuring the profile of a man's head. The man has distinct wavy hair, a prominent nose, and well-defined lips. He is facing to the left and wears a high collar. The medallion is made of bronze with some greenish traces from oxidation. Latin text is inscribed along the circular border. The size indicates it may be for intimate viewing or as a commemorative object.

Borso d'Este, 1413-1471, Marquess of Este [obverse]

Amadio Amedei, called Amadio da Milano

1441


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Gustave Dreyfus [1837-1914], Paris; his heirs; purchased with the entire Dreyfus collection 9 July 1930 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London, New York, and Paris); sold 31 January 1944 to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York;[1] gift 1957 to NGA.
[1] The Duveen Brothers Records document the firm’s sixteen year pursuit and eventual acquisition of the Dreyfus collection, which included paintings, sculptures, small bronzes, medals, and plaquettes. Bequeathed as part of his estate to Dreyfus’ widow and five children (a son and four daughters), who had differing opinions about its disposition, the collection was not sold until after his widow’s death in April 1929. Duveen did not wish to separate Dreyfus’ collection of small bronzes, medals, and plaquettes, and it was sold intact to the Kress Foundation for a price that was met by installment payments every three months. (Duveen Brothers Records, accession number 960015, Research Library, The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles: reel 301, box 446, folders 3 and 4; reel 302, box 447, folders 1-6; reel 303, box 448, folders 1 and 2; reel 330, box 475, folder 4.) See also George Francis Hill’s discussion "A Note on Pedigrees" in his catalogue, The Gustave Dreyfus Collection: Renaissance Medals, Oxford, 1931: xii, which was commissioned by Duveen Brothers.

Associated Names

Bibliography

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 48, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference incised: AMADE MEDIOLAN[i] AR[ti]FEX FEC[i]T

Wikidata ID

Q63847316

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