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Auction: 8004 - An Important Collection of Renaissance Medals & Plaquettes
Lot: 31

Manner of Moderno (late 15th century) Hercules and the Nemean Lion, rectangular silver-gilt plaquette, 39.5mm. x 45.5mm., contemporary cast, the gilding rubbed, metal missing from top right corner, pierced at top, traces of ink number on the reverse Hercules, naked, stands in profile to the left and strangles the lion, which struggles against his right arm and left leg. To the left is a rocky outcrop, to the right Hercules´ bow and quiver hang from a tree, and at his feet lies his club. Again the composition derives from the antique, and Planiscig cites gems in Gori and Furtwängler. The subject is treated by Moderno in very similar fashion in two larger plaquettes and this smaller version, which seems to be related in size and shape to the horseman with legend DVBIA FORTVNA (lot 37), is accepted as by Moderno or by a young follower. References Bange 1922, 516; Cott p. 152; Florence, Bargello, 115 and Carrand 428; Maclagan pp. 34-35 (2 examples); Middeldorf - Stiebral pl. LXXXV; Molinier 199; Naples, 40; Paris, Louvre, 312, 313; Planiscig 1919, 349; Ricci, ii, p. 147, no. 169; Schuchardt 27; Venice, Museo Correr, 28 and Ca´ d´Oro Estimate £ 300-500

Sold for
£480