Medals 1400-1900

'Constantine the Great', medal

Constantine the Great
Medal (obverse view)
Probably France (Paris)
About 1402
Bronze, cast
Museum no. 4492-1858

Along with another medal showing Heraclius, Emperor of Byzantium, this stands at the beginning of the medal making tradition in Europe. Documents show that the original examples were made for Duc de Berry, an outstanding patron and connoisseur, and entered his collection in November 1402.

Legend in Latin, 'Constantine, faithful in Christ our God, leader and ruler of the Romans, Emperor for ever'

'John VIII Paleologus', medal

'John VIII Paleologus'
Medal (obverse view)
Antonio Pisano, called Pisanello (before 1395-about 1455)
Italy (probably Ferrara)
After 1438-9
Bronze, cast
Museum no. 7711-1863

In 1438-9 John VIII Paleologus, Emperor of Byzantium, attended a conference in Ferrara. His visit was marked by this medal, possibly the first one produced by Pisanello and therefore the first true portrait medal of the Renaissance. Its design set a standard format for many future commemorative medals.
Legend in Greek, 'John, King and Emperor of the Romans, the Paleologus'.

'Conrad Peutinger of Nuremberg', medal

'Conrad Peutinger of Nuremberg'
Medal
Hans Schwarz (1492-after 1521)
Germany (Augsburg)
1518
Brass, cast; uniface
Museum no. 169-1867

This is one of the 25 medals that Schwarz made at Augsburg in 1518. All show visitors attending the Imperial Diet, the meeting of the ruling body of the Holy Roman Empire. The commission made Schwarz's reputation as the first German medallist. The naturalistic, even unflattering, likeness is characteristically German.
Legend in Latin, 'Konrad Peutinger lawyer aged 52'.

'Augustin Loesch, Chancellor of the Duchy of Bavaria'

'Augustin Loesch, Chancellor of the Duchy of Bavaria'
Medal (uniface)
Friedrich Hagenauer (active 1525-46)
Southern Germany
1526
Lead, cast
Museum no. 150-1867

Like many German sculptors, Hagenauer carved his models in fruitwood. This accounts for the accuracy and linear clarity of his work. His medals frequently show the sitter's head in profile with the shoulders turned frontally and the date sunk into the field of the medal. Many were later copied for wooden gaming pieces.

Legend in Latin, 'The image of Augustin Loesch of Hilkers, doctor of law, Chancellor of the Duchy of Bavaria'

'Isotta degli Att'i', medal

'Isotta degli Atti'
Medal (obverse view)
Matteo de' Pasti (active 1441-1467/68)
Italy (Rimini)
About 1449-52
Bronze, cast
Museum no. A.175-1910
Salting Bequest

As artist and counsellor to the Malatesta court at Rimini, Matteo de' Pasti was commissioned by Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta to commemorate his beautiful third wife, Isotta. His medal shows her dressed in the French or Flemish style of the late Gothic period. The delicacy and balance of the design suggests the influence of Pisanello.

Legend in Latin, 'To Isotta of Rimini, the ornament of Italy for beauty and virtue'

'Matthaeus Metzger', medal

Matthaeus Metzger
Medal
Friedrich Hagenauer (active 1525-46)
Southern Germany
1527
Lead, cast; uniface
Museum no. A.383-1910
Salting Bequest

This sitter was a representative and employee of the Hochstetters, a merchant family in Ulm. The inscription surrounding the portrait translates 'Matthaeus Metzger's appearance at 24 years old', so presumably it marks his birthday or some other significant event in his life.

'Henry IV and His wife Marie de' Medici', Guillaume Dupré'

'Henry IV and His wife Marie de' Medici'
Medal (obverse view)
Guillaume Dupré (about 1579-1642)
France (Paris),
1605
Bronze, cast;
Museum no. 5779-1859

Dupré was the first French medallist to appreciate and exploit fully the tradition of medallic portraiture that had been developed in Italy in the 16th century. His work is distinguished by the subtle low relief, created in the wax model, and the outstanding quality of the casting.

Legend in Latin, 'Henri IV most Christian King, Marie, Empress'

'Sir John Hotham', medal

'Sir John Hotham'
Medal (obverse view)
Thomas Simon (1618-65)
England (London)
About 1644
Silver, cast
Museum no. 809-1904

Thomas Simon and his brother Abraham are among the finest British medallists. They worked together. Abraham made the wax models and Thomas usually chased and then signed the finished work. This medal is one of many portraits of contemporary notables produced under his name.

'Emmanuel-Augustin-Dieudonné-Marin-Joseph, Comte de Las Cases'

'Emmanuel-Augustin-Dieudonne-Marin-Joseph, Comte de Las Cases'
Medal (uniface)
David d'Angers (1788-1856)
France
1830
Bronze, sand cast
Museum no. A.4-1971

By the beginning of the 19th century French medallic art had become repetitive and banal. It was rescued by David d'Angers' sculptural sketches in cast bronze. He modelled the sitter's features in wax and added names and dates as scribbles in the surface. This example is one of a series depicting the outstanding men and women of his time.

Mond Nickel Company Medal, Percy Metcalfe

Mond Nickel Company Medal (obverse view)
Percy Metcalfe (1895-1970)
England (London)
1925
Struck nickel
Museum no. A.51-1934
Transferred from the British Institute of Industrial Art

In his recognisably Art Deco design Percy Metcalfe captures the driving spirit of modernity. By concentrating on simple geometric shapes he implies strength and vitality. The metal, nickel, was an innovative choice for a medal. However, it was widely used in other decorative arts and was, of course, appropriate for this commission.