Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 390 - Renaissance Plaquettes and Commemorative Medals featuring the Neil A. Goodman Collection - e-Auction
Lot: 48

LEONE LEONI (1509-1590)
Michelangelo Buonarotti (1475-1564). Medal, 1560. Bronze, 64mm. MICHAELANGELVS.BONARROTVS.FLO.R.ATES.ANN 88, Draped bust right of the great artist, rev. DOCEBO.INIQVOS.V.T.(ET).IMPII.AD.TE CONVER., Allegory of the Blind man: Blind man holding a staff and carrying a flask, being led right by a dog. Scher Currency of Fame, pp 155-157. Attwood 61. The medal was modelled in 1560 and cast in Milan. Leoni sent Michelangelo two copies in silver and two in bronze for his birthday. He cleaned and boxed one specially, writing "keep it and look after it for love of me". Pleased with the medal, Michelangelo gave Leoni a wax model of Hercules and Antaeus (now lost). The legend though on the medal is in error, Michelangelo was then 85 not 88.. Pierced. Small flaw on reverse and some scratches in field. A Very Fine old cast.
From the Neil A. Goodman Collection

Estimate
$500 to $800

Starting price
$350