Log in or Sign up
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
World Coins
>
Italian Renaissance Medal - Francesco I Sforza by Gianfrancesco Enzola
>
Reply to Thread
Message:
<p>[QUOTE="Iosephus, post: 3132130, member: 71955"]<b>Francesco I Sforza / Greyhound Seated Under Tree</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>Work of Gianfrancesco Enzola, 1456.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://www.virtuscollection.com/pics/1124.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><i>Bronze, 41.7 mm Ø, 35.6 g</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><b>Obverse:</b> Bust of Francesco I Sforza facing right, wearing shirt of mail under plate armor. Around, FR · SFORTIA VICECOMES · MLI · DVX · IIII BELLI PATER · ET · PACIS · AVTOR MCCCCLVI (<i>Francesco Sforza Visconti, Fourth Duke of Milan, Father of War and Maker of Peace, 1456</i>); inscription separated by biscione. To the sides of the bust, · V · · F · .</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Reverse:</b> A hand issuing from a cloud touching a greyhound seated under a tree. On the rocky ground lays a bridle, which is attached to the tree by a chain. Around, · IO · FR · ENZOLAE · · PARMENSIS · OPVS · (<i>Work of Gian Francesco Enzola of Parma</i>).</p><p><br /></p><p>Francesco Sforza (1401-1466) was primarily employed by Filippo Maria Visconti, duke of Milan, in the wars with Venice. In 1441, Francesco married Filippo's daughter Bianca Maria, acquiring the family name of Visconti which is present on this medal. Upon Filippo's death in 1447, Milan was briefly a republican government. After years of famine and following riots, the city's senate recognized Francesco as duke. An able ruler who modernized Milan, he died in March of 1466, and was succeeded by his son, Galeazzo Maria Sforza.</p><p><br /></p><p>The reverse design is the duke's impresa. The dog can be seen as a symbol of fidelity, and the greyhound in this design is free of his bridle and able to run at will. The meaning of the V F on the reverse is unknown, but appears on other medals by Enzola. Pollard postulates that it may stand for a dedicatory formula adapted from ancient Roman coins, such as "votum fecit" (<i>a promise made</i>). Although all known examples are cast, it is believed that this medal was originally struck.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>References:</b> Hill 1930, no. 281; Pollard 2007, no. 135</p><p><br /></p><p>This piece joins another medal already in my collection of Francesco by Sperandio (c. 1466). Though somewhat worn and battered, this medal does feature an interesting three-quarters frontal view, as opposed to a typical profile:</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://www.virtuscollection.com/pics/1045.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><i>Lead, 90.5 mm Ø, 280.9 g</i>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Iosephus, post: 3132130, member: 71955"][B]Francesco I Sforza / Greyhound Seated Under Tree [/B] Work of Gianfrancesco Enzola, 1456. [IMG]http://www.virtuscollection.com/pics/1124.jpg[/IMG] [I]Bronze, 41.7 mm Ø, 35.6 g [/I] [B]Obverse:[/B] Bust of Francesco I Sforza facing right, wearing shirt of mail under plate armor. Around, FR · SFORTIA VICECOMES · MLI · DVX · IIII BELLI PATER · ET · PACIS · AVTOR MCCCCLVI ([I]Francesco Sforza Visconti, Fourth Duke of Milan, Father of War and Maker of Peace, 1456[/I]); inscription separated by biscione. To the sides of the bust, · V · · F · . [B]Reverse:[/B] A hand issuing from a cloud touching a greyhound seated under a tree. On the rocky ground lays a bridle, which is attached to the tree by a chain. Around, · IO · FR · ENZOLAE · · PARMENSIS · OPVS · ([I]Work of Gian Francesco Enzola of Parma[/I]). Francesco Sforza (1401-1466) was primarily employed by Filippo Maria Visconti, duke of Milan, in the wars with Venice. In 1441, Francesco married Filippo's daughter Bianca Maria, acquiring the family name of Visconti which is present on this medal. Upon Filippo's death in 1447, Milan was briefly a republican government. After years of famine and following riots, the city's senate recognized Francesco as duke. An able ruler who modernized Milan, he died in March of 1466, and was succeeded by his son, Galeazzo Maria Sforza. The reverse design is the duke's impresa. The dog can be seen as a symbol of fidelity, and the greyhound in this design is free of his bridle and able to run at will. The meaning of the V F on the reverse is unknown, but appears on other medals by Enzola. Pollard postulates that it may stand for a dedicatory formula adapted from ancient Roman coins, such as "votum fecit" ([I]a promise made[/I]). Although all known examples are cast, it is believed that this medal was originally struck. [B]References:[/B] Hill 1930, no. 281; Pollard 2007, no. 135 This piece joins another medal already in my collection of Francesco by Sperandio (c. 1466). Though somewhat worn and battered, this medal does feature an interesting three-quarters frontal view, as opposed to a typical profile: [IMG]http://www.virtuscollection.com/pics/1045.jpg[/IMG] [I]Lead, 90.5 mm Ø, 280.9 g[/I][/QUOTE]
Your name or email address:
Do you already have an account?
No, create an account now.
Yes, my password is:
Forgot your password?
Stay logged in
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
World Coins
>
Italian Renaissance Medal - Francesco I Sforza by Gianfrancesco Enzola
>
Home
Home
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Activity
Recent Posts
Forums
Forums
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Posts
Competitions
Competitions
Quick Links
Competition Index
Rules, Terms & Conditions
Gallery
Gallery
Quick Links
Search Media
New Media
Showcase
Showcase
Quick Links
Search Items
Most Active Members
New Items
Directory
Directory
Quick Links
Directory Home
New Listings
Members
Members
Quick Links
Notable Members
Current Visitors
Recent Activity
New Profile Posts
Sponsors
Menu
Search
Search titles only
Posted by Member:
Separate names with a comma.
Newer Than:
Search this thread only
Search this forum only
Display results as threads
Useful Searches
Recent Posts
More...