Shield Surmounted by an Eagle [reverse]

15th or 16th century

Bolognese 15th or 16th Century

Associated Names
This is a photograph of an ancient coin. The image features a golden coin with intricate designs. The central motif on the coin's surface is a two-headed eagle, which is seated above a shield divided into four quarters, each containing distinct symbols and patterns. The eagles' wings are spread, creating a sense of regality and authority. Surrounding the central image, there is an inscription in a language. The coin's edges are slightly worn. The photograph captures the coin on a plain black background, emphasizing its texture and details.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    gold ducat//Struck

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 2.32 cm (15/16 in.)
    gross weight: 3.46 gr (0.008 lb.)
    axis: 11:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1255.b

Associated Artworks

This is a photograph of an ancient coin. The coin is gold and features a profile relief of a figure wearing a distinctive hat. The hat is flat-topped, and the figure appears to be adorned with long, flowing hair or a draped veil. Surrounding the figure are inscriptions in raised letters, which form a circular text around the edge of the coin. The surface of the coin shows signs of age, with slight wear and tarnish. The background is black, emphasizing the golden hue of the coin.

Giovanni II Bentivoglio, 1443-1508, Lord of Bologna 1463-1506 [obverse]

Bolognese 15th Century, Bolognese 16th Century

1400


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. 804, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: MAXIMILIANI MVNVS

Wikidata ID

Q63854371

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