Equity Holding Scales and Scepter [reverse]

c. 1501/1510

Attributed to Vettor Gambello, called Camelio

Associated Names
Vettor Gambello, called Camelio

Artist, Venetian, 1455/1460 - 1537

The sculpture depicted on the coin shows a figure holding scales in its left hand and a staff in its right hand. The figure is draped in a robe. The sculpture is embossed on a circular medium-sized coin. The color of the coin is a muted brown, typical of aged bronze or copper. The edges of the coin are inscribed with text. A small circular hole is visible at the bottom center of the coin.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 6.33 cm (2 1/2 in.)
    gross weight: 89.74 gr (0.198 lb.)
    axis: 6:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.745.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a circular medallion featuring a side profile of a male figure with prominent facial features like a pronounced nose and cheekbones. The man is adorned in formal attire, with an ornate robe displaying visible patterns and a hat that has a forward-protruding design. The medallion appears to be made of metal with a brownish patina. An inscription in capital letters wraps around the edge of the medallion. The medallion has a textured surface, and a small circular hole near the top suggests it may have been intended for suspension.

Leonardo Loredan, 1436-1521, Doge of Venice 1501 [obverse]

Vettor Gambello, called Camelio

1501


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Princess Belgioioso, Milan; (sale, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 19-20 May 1879, no. 48); 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. 174, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: AEQVITAS PRINCIPIS

Wikidata ID

Q63847921

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