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Not currently on display at the V&A

Francesco Panigarola

Plaque
1586 (dated)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The plaque depicts Francesco Panigarola (1548-1594) who was bishop of Chrysopolis, in Arabia from 1586-1587 and bishop of Asti from 1587-1594.
Cast in bronze or lead, the Renaissance portrait medal commemorated individuals or events. They were used as gifts and mementoes and were inspired by Roman coins, with their portraits of rulers and allegorical representations on the reverse, excavated all over Italy and eagerly collected by humanists. Many specialist sculptors were attracted to the art form. It was recognised that there was a ready market for medals among the growing class of collectors, usually members of the intelligensia or the gentry, who were attracted to small-scale works of art. The medal format proved ideal for this type of personal and intimate object.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleFrancesco Panigarola (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Brief description
Plaque, bronze, Francesco Panigarola, unknown medallist, Italy, dated 1586
Physical description
Plaque depicts on the obverse bust to left of Panigarola, bearded, wearing a biretta and cardinal's cape. Inscription.
No reverse.
Dimensions
  • Length: 9.1cm
  • Width: 7.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
'[MONSIGNOR . PANIGAROLA] VESCOVO . [DI . CRISPOLI] 1586' (obverse. The part in [ ] has been removed by chasing, but can be traced on the back of the plaque.)
Object history
From the Salting bequest.
Subject depicted
Summary
The plaque depicts Francesco Panigarola (1548-1594) who was bishop of Chrysopolis, in Arabia from 1586-1587 and bishop of Asti from 1587-1594.
Cast in bronze or lead, the Renaissance portrait medal commemorated individuals or events. They were used as gifts and mementoes and were inspired by Roman coins, with their portraits of rulers and allegorical representations on the reverse, excavated all over Italy and eagerly collected by humanists. Many specialist sculptors were attracted to the art form. It was recognised that there was a ready market for medals among the growing class of collectors, usually members of the intelligensia or the gentry, who were attracted to small-scale works of art. The medal format proved ideal for this type of personal and intimate object.
Bibliographic reference
'Salting Bequest (A. 70 to A. 1029-1910) / Murray Bequest (A. 1030 to A. 1096-1910)'. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (Department of Architecture and Sculpture). London: Printed under the Authority of his Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, East Harding Street, EC, p. 47
Collection
Accession number
A.329-1910

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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