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Auction: 8004 - An Important Collection of Renaissance Medals & Plaquettes
Lot: 33

Moderno (late 15th century Hercules and the dead Antaeus, rectangular bronze plaquette, 69mm. x 54mm., a very fine old cast, light brown patina, pierced twice at top, two areas of solder on the reverse Hercules, wearing only the lion´s skin over his head and shoulders, stands facing, resting his hands on his club, looking down at the dead body of Antaeus at his feet. Behind him to the right is the entrance to a cave, and to the left is a column and a broken arch with the inscription O. MODERNI One of the same series of plaquettes illustrating the Labours of Hercules, and as with the previous plaquette, it is found signed, unsigned, circular, and with a border of palms. The composition occurs on the Porta della Rana of the Duomo at Como, and also in a painted medallion in the ceiling in the Foresteria of Sant´Abbondio at Cremona. References Bange 1922, 484; Cott p. 152; Florence, Bargello 114; London, British Museum, T.W. Greene, 27; Maclagan p. 36; Molinier 204; Paris, Cabinet des Médailles, Armand-Velton, 2458; Paris, Musée Jacquemart-André 498; Planiscig 1919, 347; Ricci, ii, p. 1651, no. 203; Sambon 99, pl. VI; Schuchardt 24 Estimate £ 600-800

Sold for
£850