Saint Michael Spearing the Dragon [reverse]

15th century

Neapolitan 15th Century

Associated Names
This is a photograph of an ancient coin. The coin features an image of a winged figure holding a staff and standing over a creature or object. The outer edge of the coin has inscribed text or symbols circling the image. The coin is round and shows signs of wear or damage around the edges. The surface has a textured appearance suggesting age. The lighting highlights the coin's relief and worn details.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    silver coronato//Struck

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 2.7 cm (1 1/16 in.)
    gross weight: 3.9 gr (0.009 lb.)
    axis: 9:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1261.b

Associated Artworks

This is a photograph of an old coin. The image shows a circular metal coin that features a profile portrait engraving of a monarch on one side, with intricate details such as a crown and robes visible. The coin's edge is inscribed with text. The surface of the coin has developed a patina.

Ferdinand (Ferrante) I of Aragon, 1423-1494, King of Naples 1458 [obverse]

Neapolitan 15th 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. 812, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: IVSTA TVENDA

Wikidata ID

Q63854382

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