A 16TH CENTURY GOLD MEDAL OF ARCHDUKE CHARLES OF AUSTRIA

This lot is offered without reserve.

From the collection of The Barons Nathaniel and Albert von Rothschild

Details

A 16TH CENTURY GOLD MEDAL OF ARCHDUKE CHARLES OF AUSTRIA
The obverse depicting a cuirassed bust of Archduke Charles facing right with 'CAROLVS ARCHIDVX AVSTRIÆ' around, the reverse with winged Fortuna standing amid waves on a winged globe, holding a sail blown by a zephy, to her right a dolphin and a town in the background (Armand II, 239, 15), within 19th century scrolled and foliate enamel border to the pearl pendant and crown surmount, suspended by an ornate triple gold chain, overall diameter 4.2 cm., total weight 32.69 grams

Special notice

This lot is offered without reserve.

Lot Essay

A signed medal of Archduke Charles (1540 - 1590, third son of Emperor Ferdinand I), by Antonio Abondio has, as its reverse, a male figure of Fortune standing on two dolphins and holding a sail (Armand I, 269, 10; Habich 3409; Van Loon I, 128). The obverse inscription is the same while that on the reverse is similar, AVDACES FORTVNA IVVAT (Virgil Aeneid X, 284). The depiction of Fortune as a muscular Neptune-like figure with flowing beard is unusual, while the female figure of Fortuna, as on the present medal, is common on coins and medals of the period, so much so that Armand automatically describes the male figure on the signed medal as 'La Fortune, sous le figure d'une femme nue'

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