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Jean Parisot de la Vallette

Medal
1564 (made)
Artist/Maker

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
TitleJean Parisot de la Vallette (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Brief description
Medal, bronze, Jean Parisot de la Vallette, by a medallist signing FED. COC. (probably Federigo Coccola), Italy, probably 1565
Physical description
Medal depicts on the obverse the bust to the right of la Vallette, bearded, in armour with a loose cloak. A Maltese cross in the middle of the breast-plate. Inscription. On the reverse David with sword raised, about to cut off the head of Goliath. Behind, to the right, a group of men. In the background the sea with ships. Inscription.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 5cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'F . IO . VALLETA . M . M . HOSP . HIER . / F . CO' (obverse)
  • 'VNVS X . MILLIA' (reverse)
Object history
From the Salting bequest.
Production
it is signed FED. COC., and this is probably Federigo Coccola of Amalia
Subjects depicted
Summary
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. 38
Collection
Accession number
A.277-1910

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
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