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Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor

Medal
1537 (made)
Artist/Maker
Reinhart, Hans (The Elder) (maker)
Place of origin
Germany (made)

This silver-gilt medal was made by Hans Reinhardt the Elder, in Germany in 1537.

It depicts on the obverse the bust of the Emperor Charles V of Austria, the holy Roman Emperor. He is shown bearded, holding the imperial orb and sceptre.

On the reverse is a double-headed eagle, the imperial eagle, holding a shield of arms. The Pillars of Hercules are depicted on the reverse.

Object details

Categories
Coins & Medals
Portraits
Royalty
Sculpture
Object type
Medal
TitleCharles V, Holy Roman Emperor (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Silver gilt
Brief description
Charles V Holy Roman Emperor, silver gilt medal by Hans Reinhart the Elder, Germany dated 1537
Physical description
Obv.: bust of the Emperor Charles V.; rev.: the imperial eagle. The Pillars of Hercules are depicted on the reverse.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 6.7cm
  • Depth: 0.3cm
  • Weight: 0.06kg
Measured for the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'CAROLVS.V.DEI.GRATIA.ROMAN.IMPERATOR.SEMPER.AVGVSTVS.REX.HIS.ANNO.SAL.M.M.XXXVII.AETATIS.SVAE.XXXVII' (Latin; Obverse)
    Translation
    Charles V by the grace of God Holy Roman Emperor Ever August King of Spain, in the year of our salvation 1537, aged 37
  • 'PL-VS-OVL-TRE' (Latin; Reverse, by the Pillars of Hercules)
    Translation
    yet further
  • 'H. - .R.' (Signature; Reverse, at the bottom)
Object history
Provenance: Bernal. A large collection of decorative art was formed by Ralph Bernal Esq and sold by Christie and Manson in London in March, 1855.
Historical context
Another version was sold at Sotheby's London, Coins and Medals sale, July 5, 1994, lot.no. 114 (£ 5720)
Subjects depicted
Order of the Golden Fleece
Sceptre
Orb
Crown
Eagle (Double Headed)
Escutcheon (Coat of Arms)
Charles v (Holy Roman Emperor)
Summary
This silver-gilt medal was made by Hans Reinhardt the Elder, in Germany in 1537.

It depicts on the obverse the bust of the Emperor Charles V of Austria, the holy Roman Emperor. He is shown bearded, holding the imperial orb and sceptre.

On the reverse is a double-headed eagle, the imperial eagle, holding a shield of arms. The Pillars of Hercules are depicted on the reverse.
Bibliographic references
  • Trusted, Marjorie. German Renaissance Medals. Victoria & Albert Museum, 1990. 128p., ill. ISBN 1851770135.
  • Inventory of Art Objects Acquired in the Year 1855. In: Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, Arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol I. London: Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868, p. 75
  • Scher, Stephen K, The Currency of fame: portrait medals of the Renaissance, New York, National Gallery of Art (U.S.), Frick Collection., 1994 pp.284-285
  • Habich, catalog, II, 1, p. 278, no. 1926, pl. CCIII, 7.
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
2384-1855

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Record createdMarch 2, 2004
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O94286/charles-v-holy-roman-emperor-medal-reinhart-hans-the/
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