Page 24 - The Lugdunum Auction 24

Chivalry, hunting and illuminations

During the second half of the 15th century, Fer-
rara became the seat of one of the most promi-
nent Italian courts, achieving a reputation as an
important leading cultural center.

But unlike Florence or Rome, Ferrara and its lea-
ding families, were deeply attached to the medie-
val culture.
The family d‘Este, which had ruled over the city
for more than a century, was one of the
oldest noble families in northern Italy and had
a long tradition of service to the Holy Roman
Emperor, as well as a great affinity for the „Imprese“ in Borso‘s Bible
French kingdom and Burgundy.
This chivalric tradition was demonstrated by the organization of large jousting events, an in-
satiable passion for horses, hunting dogs and falconry. In the arts, this special taste was illustrated by
the continuity of the use of Gothic art as well as a special interest in illuminations, beautifully
illustrated by the well-known Bible of Borso d‘Este, produced around the same time as this medal.

A beautiful fusion of Gothic and Renaissance art

And it comes as no surprise that this medal, con-
sidered as one of the best achievements of the
Italian Renaissance medallic art, is also a conti-
nuation of this taste for Gothic art.
While the naturalistic way the bust of Borso d‘Es-
te is represented with its wrinkles and double
chin clearly places this medal in the Renaissance,
two elements can be linked to Gothic art:

Firstly, the iconography of the reverse. The he-
xagonal font with open lid, standing in a
rocky landscape, a scoop showing within, is
clearly an „imprese“ or personal heraldic badge,
in the long medieval tradition, and can also be
found used as such in Borso‘s Bible.
Secondly, the impressive gilding of this medal.
Found on no other specimens known of this
type, and making this example of the highest ra-
rity, it can directly be linked to a Gothic taste
for gold, as illustrated in illuminations and by
artists like Gentile Da Fabriano and Cosimo
Coronation of the Virgin, by Gentile Da Fabriano (ca. 1420) Tura.

If you want to learn more about this exceptional medal, do not hesitate to watch
our special presentation video on our website www.lugdunum-numismatik.com
(Highlights page) or by using this QR-Code

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