Melchior von Osse, 1506-1557, Chancellor of Saxony [obverse]

16th century

German 16th Century

Associated Names
The relief medallion depicts a man in profile, dressed in period attire with a beard and mustache. He is wearing a cap and intricately layered clothing with visible textures and patterns. The medallion appears to be made of metal with a silvery or gray hue. The profile is encircled by text. The sculpture is three-dimensional, allowing observation of the man's expression and attire from a side view.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    lead

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3.94 cm (1 9/16 in.)
    gross weight: 28.78 gr (0.063 lb.)
    axis: 11:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.1302.a

Associated Artworks

This is a photograph of a silver coin-like object with intricate designs. The coin features an elaborate coat of arms in the center, with detailed scrollwork and a helmet with a decorative plume above it. The outer edge of the coin is inscribed with text in an old script. The surface of the coin has a slightly worn texture, giving it an antiquated appearance. The photograph captures the intricacy of the carvings and the reflective metallic sheen of the coin against a plain black background.

Arms and Inscription [reverse]

German 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. 730, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: MELCHIOR AB OSSE D ET CANCEL SAXO ANNO ETA SVE XXXVII

Wikidata ID

Q63854411

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