A SILVER-GILT MEDAL OF JOHANN FREDERICK, ELECTOR OF SAXONY (1502-1554)

Details

HANS REINHART THE ELDER (D. 1581), CIRCA 1535
A SILVER-GILT MEDAL OF JOHANN FREDERICK, ELECTOR OF SAXONY (1502-1554)
Depicting Johann Frederick, bearing a heavy chain around his neck and holding the elector sword of Saxony in his right hand, and the elector cap in his left hand; the inscription around the border reads IOANNS.FRIDERICVS.ELECTOR.DVX SAXONIE.FIERI.FECIT.ETATIS SVAE.32 (Johann Friedrich, Elector of Saxony Caused this to Be Made at the Age of 32); on the reverse Johann Frederick's heraldic achievement; the inscription around the border on the reverse reads: SPES. MEA . IN. DEO. EST. ANNO. NOSTRI. SALVATORIS. M.D.X.X.X.V (My Hope Is in God, in the Year of Our Savior 1535); signed with initials 'HR'
2. 3/8 in. (6 cm.) in diameter

Lot Essay

Hans Reinhart the Elder (1501-1581) is one of the most celebrated and innovative medalists of the 16th century. Originally a cabinet maker, Reinhart consciously experimented with and developed his techniques throughout his career. He was known for bold three-dimensional designs, considered unconventional in comparison to his South-German colleagues. Reinhart often created wooden models to cast his works and masterfully soldered the additional raised details onto the cast medal. The mold for this medal is in the collection of the Herzogliches Museum in Gotha, Germany.

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