Plaquette, bronze, an Allegory of Union, by the Master of IO. F.F., Italy, 15th century

This plaquette depicts to the right on a pedestal decorated with a relief (apparently two lovers?), is an old man, seated on a chair breaking a stick; below him a warrior leaning on a balustrade. In the centre before him are two men, one kneeling and trying to break a bundle of sticks, the other standing and breaking a single stick above his head. To the left is a young man, holding a broken stick, leaning on a barrier behind which are two old men in civil dress. In the sky the zodiacal sigh of Taurus under a star, between a small Cupid and a crescent moon. In the exergue, incised, IO. F.F. Raised rim.

Bought in 1861 for 10s.

This plaquette depicting an allegory of Union, is made by the Master of IO. F.F., who was a plaquette maker active around 1500.

Plaquettes are small plaques or reeliefs made of bronze, brass, lead or precious metals. They originated in the 1440ies with the desire to reproduce coins and hardstone engravings from ancient Greece and Rome. Some were made as collector's pieces, to be viewed and displayed in private, and others for practical purposes. They also inspired designs in other media, from architecture to bookbindings.

7425-1861