Paolo Giordano I. Orsini
Medal
1560 (dated)
1560 (dated)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
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 | |
| Title | Paolo Giordano I. Orsini (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Medal, bronze, Paolo Giordano Orsini, by Domenico Poggini, Italy (Florence), dated 1560 |
| Physical description | Medal depicts on the obverse the bust to the right of Orsini, close cropped beard, wearing a cuirass and a cloak. Inscription. On the reverse the bust ot the right of Isabella, wearing a high collar open in front. A chaplet of pearls in her hair. Inscription. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Object history | From the Salting bequest. |
| Subject 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.276-1910 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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