Nomos 5

France. Medal (Bronze, 70.5mm, 94 g 12), in honor of Nicolas Brulart de Sillery (1544-1624), by Guillaume Dupré (c.1579-1640), 1607. NI BRVLARTVS A SILLERY FRANC.ET NAVAR CANCEL Bare-headed and bearded bust of Sillery to right, wearing robes and a fur cape; below bust, G.DVPRE.F. Rev. LABOR.ACTVS.IN.ORBEM (=in the performance of his task he circles the globe) Apollo driving the chariot of the sun to right, above the celestial globe on which can be seen Cancer, Leo and Virgo, with Hydra and others below and above. Jones 46. Pollard 644 = Kress 563. Smolderen 26. A splendid medal with a wonderful portrait. Traces of a removed mount, otherwise an excellent contemporary cast with a fine brown patina, nearly extremely fine.

Nicolas de Sillery was a distinguished French statesman who became a Conseiller d’Etat in 1587. He was sent as an ambassador to the Swiss in 1589, to make peace between Spain and Savoy in 1598, and to organize Henri IV’s divorce in 1600. He was again ambassador to the Swiss in 1601, minister of justice in 1604 and chancellor in 1607. After the murder of Henri IV in 1610 he was gradually moved out of government and retired in 1624 shortly before his death. Dupré was one of the greatest of all French medallists and his medals are all remarkably well balanced and of great elegance.