Lot 182
182
Constantine the Great, bronze, 88mm. (83mm. excluding outer rim), anon., c.1402, Constantine riding to right, rev. two women seated by the True Cross and the Tree of Life (cp.Arm.II,8,5; BM 1; Kress 524), a passable cast of the version without the Roman numerals of this very famous medal
FOREIGN MEDALS
Constantine the Great, bronze, 88mm. (83mm. excluding outer rim), anon., c.1402, Constantine riding to right, rev. two women seated by the True Cross and the Tree of Life (cp.Arm.II,8,5; BM 1; Kress 524), a passable cast of the version without the Roman numerals of this very famous medal

Details
Constantine the Great, bronze, 88mm. (83mm. excluding outer rim), anon., c.1402, Constantine riding to right, rev. two women seated by the True Cross and the Tree of Life (cp.Arm.II,8,5; BM 1; Kress 524), a passable cast of the version without the Roman numerals of this very famous medal

Lot Essay

The medal is attributed by Pollard in the Kress catalogue to Michelet Saulmon, and by Jones in the British Museum catalogue to the Limbourg brothers or a member of their close circle. The figure of Constantine appears in the Très Riches Heures fol.51v. The reverse allegory, taken from St Paul's letter to the Galatians, shows Sarah and Hagar representing the Christian and Judaic covenants. The design is based on an illuminated manuscript by the Limbourg brothers (Musée Condé, Chantilly, ms.65), which was begun in Spring 1402. For a recent discussion of this very important medal and a full bibliography, see M Jones, A Catalogue of French Medals in the British Museum, pp.17-23.