Shield of Este on Floriated Ground [reverse]

before 1471

Ferrarese 15th Century

Associated Names
The image displays a circular bronze-colored sculpture featuring a coat of arms. The material appears to be metal, with a patina that suggests age, and the finish is burnished. The coat of arms is divided into four quadrants; each of two adjacent quadrants contains a bird, while the other two resemble floral motifs. The central shield of the coat of arms is embossed, and the entire composition is encircled by an ornate border. Letters "B" and "D" flank the sides of the central emblem within the border.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3.04 cm (1 3/16 in.)
    gross weight: 11.91 gr (0.026 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.632.b

Associated Artworks

The image displays a coin featuring a profile of a man's head and upper shoulders. The person depicted is in a side view, facing leftward. The facial features are detailed with the bridge of the nose, an outlined eye, and a pronounced chin. The man has shoulder-length, wavy hair and wears a distinguished hat. The clothing visible consists of a robe or possibly armor with a high collar. Around the head, there is an inscription that circles the perimeter of the coin. The coin's surface shows age, with dark, variable hues and textures. The background is unembellished, being solely the metal of the coin without additional features or ornamentation.

Borso d'Este, 1413-1471, Marquess of Ferrara 150, Duke of Modena and Reggio 1452 [obverse]

Ferrarese 15th Century

1471


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. 61, repro.

Inscriptions

across center to left and right of shield: B[orsius] D[ux]

Wikidata ID

Q63847525

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