Ten Holy Roman Emperors thumbnail 1
Ten Holy Roman Emperors thumbnail 2
+1
images
Not currently on display at the V&A

Ten Holy Roman Emperors

Medal
1594 (made)
Artist/Maker

This medal depicts the first Ten German Hapsburg Holy Roman Emperors. The obverse shows Rudolf I, Albrecht I, Friedrich III, Albrecht II and Friedrich Iv while the reverse shows Maximilian I, Charles V, Ferdinand I, Maximilian II and Rudolf II.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleTen Holy Roman Emperors (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Gold
Brief description
Ten Holy Roman Emperors, gold medal attributed to Valentin Maler, Germany dated 1594
Physical description
Medal, gold, cast on the occasion of the Diet of Ratisbon in 1594. Obv. The imperial arms of Austria dividing the date 1594 and surrounded by five medallions with busts to right of the emperors, Albert I, Albert II, Frederick IV and Frederick III and Rudolph I. Rev., Justice and Peace supporting a crown over the imperial cypher surrounded by five medallions with busts to right of Charles V, Maximilian II, Rudolph II, Ferdinand and Maximilian I.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 38mm
  • Weight: 20g
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
Gallery label
MEDAL OF TEN EMPERORS OF AUSTRIA GERMAN (Nuremburg); about 1583 By Valentin Maler (active 1564-1603 The reverse of this medal, displayed here, depicts the holy Roman Emperors Maximillian I, Charles V, Ferdinand I, Maximillian II and Rudolph II, form the Hapsburg line. (1993 - 2011)
Credit line
Bequeathed by Miss Mary Elizabeth Waldo Sibthorp.
Object history
Bequeathed by Miss Mary Elizabeth Waldo Sibthorp in 1902
Subjects depicted
Summary
This medal depicts the first Ten German Hapsburg Holy Roman Emperors. The obverse shows Rudolf I, Albrecht I, Friedrich III, Albrecht II and Friedrich Iv while the reverse shows Maximilian I, Charles V, Ferdinand I, Maximilian II and Rudolf II.
Bibliographic references
  • Trusted, Marjorie. German Renaissance Medals. Victoria & Albert Museum, 1990. 128p., ill. ISBN 1851770135.
  • List of Works of Art acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum during the Year 1902 arranged according to the Dates of Acquisition. London: Her Majesty's Stationary Office. Wyman and Sons. 1906. pp.352
Collection
Accession number
1641-1902

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdFebruary 27, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest