Shield with Two Crests [reverse]

16th century

Milanese 16th Century

Associated Names
This is a photograph of a gold coin with intricate designs and emblems. The coin features two mythical creatures facing each other above a shield divided into four sections. Two sections depict an eagle, while the other two have a wavy pattern. There is text surrounding the central emblem, and an ornamental cross near the top of the design. The craftsmanship demonstrates attention to detail, particularly in the depiction of the creatures, and the text likely holds historical significance.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    gold double testoon//Struck

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 2.88 cm (1 1/8 in.)
    gross weight: 6.93 gr (0.015 lb.)
    axis: 1:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1245.b

Associated Artworks

This is a photograph of a gold coin. The image shows a detailed, embossed design on a coin against a solid black background. The coin features a profile bust surrounded by intricate engravings and text in a circular pattern along the edge, highlighting the craftsmanship often found in historical currency. The surface is textured, and the lighting emphasizes the coin's gold color and the relief work.

Giangaleazzo Maria Sforza, 1469-1494, 6th Duke of Milan 1476 [obverse]

Milanese 16th Century

1500


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: 2:no. 790, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: PP ANGLEQ3 COS 7 C

Wikidata ID

Q63854351

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