• Finest Quality Ancient Greek, Roman & Byzantine Coins
  • Renaissance & 17th Century Dutch Medals
  • Auctions & Private Treaty Sales

Nomos 24

22 May 2022
Zunfthaus zur Saffran, Zurich

overview

An Original Medal by Bonzagna

Estimate: 2000 CHF
Hammer Price:  3200 CHF
Lot 500
Video

ITALY. Collalto. Giovanni Battista II, Count of Collalto, 1514 - after 1570. Medal (Bronze, 36 mm, 49.77 g, 6 h), a struck original, by Gianfederico Bonzagna (also known as Federico Parmense, after 1507-1588), Rome, 1560. IO.BAPTISTA. II.DE.COLLALTO. CO.ET.C. Bareheaded and cuirassed bust of Giovanni Battista to left, with short beard; below truncation, in small letters, F.P. Rev. POST.TENEBRAS. SPERO.LVCEM. M.D.L.X (= after darkness I hope for the light) Elaborate mantled arms of Collalto, surmounted by a helmet, with a crest formed by two upraised arms flanking a crowned eagle with wings open in display, and flanked, on the left, by a vase and a sword, and, on the right, by a palm branch, a cross and a winged dragon, coiled up with his tail in his mouth; in tiny letters on the ribbons curling around the sword and the palm branch, AL-EVTM-ANTE-AVT / O...N-S P VOR. Attwood 958. Toderi Vannel 2160. Voltolina 513. A particularly attractive, sharply struck and impressive example, with a fine portrait and a lovely tan-brown patina. Extremely fine.

From the Aviz Collection.

This piece, very possibly the finest known example, commemorates an obscure nobleman who was born in Venice and, apparently, was a "celebrated antiquary". That may well explain the complicated iconography on the reverse: especially the apparently two-legged dragon - a wyvern - with his tail in his mouth in the manner of the ouroboros serpent. This creature actually may be a symbol for mercury, since he appears in just this way in L. Jennis' De Lapide Philosophico of 1625. It also suggests that the seemingly incomprehensible motto appearing on the ribbons swirling around the reverse types is intended to have some mystical meaning.

Online bidding closes: 22 May 2022, 09:00:00 CEST Current Date & Time: 29 Mar 2024, 11:08:55 CET Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:3200 CHF

Pre-Bidding closes on 22 Mai 2022 at 9:00 CEST. Live bidding starts at 14:00 CET and is EXCLUSIVELY available on biddr. Separate registration is required.

An error has occurred. This application may no longer respond until reloaded. Reload 🗙
Reconnecting, please wait...