Giovanni Francesco Albani, Clement XI, silver prize medal by Ermenegildo Hamerani, bust right wearing tiara and cope, AN.XX, signed on truncation H HAMERANVS S, rev. BONARVM ARTIVM CVLTVI ET INCREMENTO, the institute of Science at Bologna with the new observation tower, 39mm. in a silver frame, the reverse engraved MDCCXXXII, 62mm. (Bart.720; L.1674), the obverse of the medal gilt, good very fine, scarce

Giovanni Francesco Albani, Clement XI, silver prize medal by Ermenegildo Hamerani, bust right wearing tiara and cope, AN.XX, signed on truncation H HAMERANVS S, rev. BONARVM ARTIVM CVLTVI ET INCREMENTO, the institute of Science at Bologna with the new observation tower, 39mm. in a silver frame, the reverse engraved MDCCXXXII, 62mm. (Bart.720; L.1674), the obverse of the medal gilt, good very fine, scarce

Details

Giovanni Francesco Albani, Clement XI, silver prize medal by Ermenegildo Hamerani, bust right wearing tiara and cope, AN.XX, signed on truncation H HAMERANVS S, rev. BONARVM ARTIVM CVLTVI ET INCREMENTO, the institute of Science at Bologna with the new observation tower, 39mm. in a silver frame, the reverse engraved MDCCXXXII, 62mm. (Bart.720; L.1674), the obverse of the medal gilt, good very fine, scarce

Lot Essay

The dedication medal celebrating the completion of the observatory tower in 1720, here set in a silver frame as a prize medal for 1732. Similar prize medals are known, for example that in the Bargello, dated 1729 (Toderi and Vannel, Medaglie Italiane, Baroche Neoclassiche, Florence 1990, no.153), and the Clifford collection, dated 1730 (Spink auction, London 21 May 1996, lot 232). For a full discussion see the Clifford catalogue.

See also colour plate