Not currently on display at the V&A

Ten Holy Roman Emperors

Medal
1594 (dated)
Artist/Maker
Maler, Valentin (maker)

This medal is decorated with medallion heads, on the obverse and reverse sides, of ten German Emperors from Rudolph I to Rudolph II, accompanied with their names and legends.

This version is probably a late aftercast of a much finer gold medal.


Object details

Categories
Access_to_Images 2003
Coins & Medals
Portraits
Royalty
SCRAN
Object type
Medal
TitleTen Holy Roman Emperors (generic title)
Materials and techniques
White metal
Brief description
Ten Holy Roman Emperors, white metal medal attributed to Valentin Maler, Germany dated 1594
Physical description
Medal, white metal. Medallion heads, on obv and rev. of ten German Emperors from Rudolph I to Rudolph II., with names and legends.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 38mm
  • Weight: 19.9g
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'ROM.IMP.-SERENI.-AVSTRACA DOMO IN IN.-VICTI..RVDO.' (Latin; Obverse)
    Translation
    The first half of the inscription, continued on the reverse, which in full translates as: Rudolph II Roman Emperor from the fair invincible Austrian House. Valentin Maler of Nuremberg made this with royal privilege to the honour of his people and his House
  • 'LPHI.II.EI9-DEMO DOM-HONOREM-NORI. F.VM-C.PRIVIL.' (Latin; Reverse)
    Translation
    The second half of the inscription, started on the obverse, which in full translates as: Rudolph II Roman Emperor from the fair invincible Austrian House. Valentin Maler of Nuremberg made this with royal privilege to the honour of his people and his House
  • '15 - 94' (Date; Obverse, to the left and right of the eagle)
  • 'Rudolph I, Albrecht I, Friedrich III, Albrecht II, Friedrich IV' (Obverse, in the roundels surrounding the busts)
  • 'Maximilian I, Charles V, Ferdinand I, Maximilian II, Rudolf II' (Reverse, in the roundels surrounding the busts)
  • 'R' (Reverse)
    Translation
    Initial, standing for the Emperor Rudolph II
Credit line
Solly Bequest
Object history
Provenance: Solly Bequest. Miss Sarah Solly bequeathed works of decorative art to the Museum in 1882.
Production
This version is probably a late aftercast of 1641-1902
Subjects depicted
Bust
Roundels
Eagle (Double Headed)
Crowns (Headdresses)
Escutcheon (Coat of Arms)
Rudolph I (Holy Roman Emperor)
Albrecht I (Holy Roman Emperor)
Albrecht II (Holy Roman Emperor)
Maximilian I (Duke of Austria, Holy Roman Emperor)
Charles v (Holy Roman Emperor)
Ferdinand I (Holy Roman Emperor)
Maximilian II (Holy Roman Emperor)
Rudolph II Habsburg (Holy Roman Emperor)
Friedrich III (Holy Roman Emperor)
Friedrich III (Holy Roman Emperor)
Summary
This medal is decorated with medallion heads, on the obverse and reverse sides, of ten German Emperors from Rudolph I to Rudolph II, accompanied with their names and legends.

This version is probably a late aftercast of a much finer gold medal.
Associated object
1641-1902
Bibliographic references
  • Trusted, Marjorie. German Renaissance Medals. Victoria & Albert Museum, 1990. 128p., ill. ISBN 1851770135.
  • List of Objects in the Art Division, South Kensington Museum acquired during the Year 1882. London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1883. pp. 142
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
1471-1882

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Record createdMarch 1, 2004
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O94188/ten-holy-roman-emperors-medal-maler-valentin/
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