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Auction: 390 - Renaissance Plaquettes and Commemorative Medals featuring the Neil A. Goodman Collection - e-Auction
Lot: 170

FRENCH. JACQUES GAUVAIN PICARD, (goldsmith, engraver and medalist of Lyons, died 1547)
Margaret of Austria (1480-1530), Archduchess, Governor of Burgundian Netherlands. Medal, Brussels ca. 1500/01. Gilt Bronze, 42mm. MARGARITA CAESARIS MAXIMILIANI FILIA, Young bust right flanked by crowned Burgundian emblem and flower, rev. VICTRIX FORTVNAE FORTISSIMA, Virtue, facing, leaning on column, Fortune, holding two crowns, prostrate at her feet, VIRTVS in ex. Forrer p.222-3. Only a handful of recorded specimens, two in the Cabinet of Brussels (41.9 and 39mm) - the latter in poor condition, one in the Cabinet of Vienna (40mm) and a retouched variation in silver (40mm); one from the former collection of Jules Bizot, Lyon, bronze 39.1mm (whereabouts unknown); and a final example from the former collection of Sir William Fettas Douglas, sold in London, May 10, 1883, lot 81 (whereabouts unknown).
The Brussels specimen which came from the former collection of Canon de Bellefroid of Liege had been unique for its inclusion of the artist's name on the reverse above the broken arch (GAVVAIN or CAVVAIN) and the appearance of the eagle with outstretched wings before the name MARGARITA. The present example bears all these traits and is apparently unique for its gilding.
The allegorical design of the reverse is much influenced by Italian medals and plaquettes, and Moderno in particular. Virtue stands victorious over Fortune lying at her feet holding two crowns - alluding to the two lost crowns of France and Spain that were to be Margaret's by marriage but which never came to fruition. The third crown awarded for her virtue was her marriage in Brussels, September 1501 to Philibert II Duke of Savoy. Thus, the medal would have been made after the union had been proposed or contracted but before the actual wedding. A few old scratches, some gilt worn spots. Forrer pp. 222-223. A Very Fine early cast. Ex CNG e-Sale 367, January 27, 2016, lot 665.
From the Neil A. Goodman Collection

Sold for
$700

Starting price
$700