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Auction: 390 - Renaissance Plaquettes and Commemorative Medals featuring the Neil A. Goodman Collection - e-Auction
Lot: 218

Italy. Sigismondo Malatesta and Isotta degli Atti. Medal, 19th- early 20th Century. Bronze, 128mm, 17mm thick. (flower) DIVAE.SACRVM.ISOTTAE.FORMA.ET.VIRTVTE.DECORI.SIGISMUNDVS.MALATESTIS.ARIMINI.7E.TE.ROMANE / ECLLESIE.CAPITANEVS.GENERALIS, Busts of Isotta and Sigismondo facing each other, winged putto head above, rev. High-relief shield with SI monogram in two quarters, ornate wreath around. NGA 355.
Once thought to be by de'Pasti or his workshop, the authenticity (to the Renaissance) of this large, heavy piece (1 Lb, 10 Oz) began to be questioned in the 1970s. In 1974, another specimen was sold at Sotheby's, Zürich, described as "probably unique" to Ruth Blumka. Shortly after, another was located in the Biblioteca Civica of Senigallia. When Blumka died in 1994, the medal passed to her son, who donated it to the National Gallery of Art in 1995. Pollard cites three specimens, but does not say where the third one is (or was) and it may be the present example. Pierced. Extremely Fine. Ex Kunstauktionhaus Schlosser, December 18, 2013.
From the Neil A. Goodman Collection

Estimate
$1,000 to $2,000

Starting price
$700