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View: Obverse
Constantine the Great
Possibly by: Michelet Saulmon (French)
French (Burgundy)
Medieval
early 15th century
Object Place: France
Medium/Technique
Metal; silver (95% silver, 5% copper)
Dimensions
Diameter and weight: 88 mm (3 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour
Accession Number57.170
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsNumismatics – Medals
Catalogue Raisonné
Kress 524
DescriptionCircular medal of Constantine the Great (Roman Emperor AD 307-37). One of a pair, probably made for Jean, Duc de Berry, after designs by Pol de Limbourg.
Obverse: Equestrian figure of Constantine the Great looking to proper left, wearing a long robe; inscribed at edge "CONSTANTINVS·INXRO·DEO·FIDELIS·IMPERATOR·ET·MODERATOR ROMANORVM·ET·SEMPER·AVGVSTVS" and below horse "234".
Reverse: Fountain composed of basin of water, plant, and cross (possibly Fountain of Life); flanked by clothed, older woman on proper right and semi-nude younger woman on proper left, both seated; inscribed at sides of cross "Z" to proper right and "T" to proper left and at edge "·MIHI·ABSIT·GLORIARI·NIS·IN·CRVCE·DOMINI·NOSTRI·IHV·XRI·"
Obverse: Equestrian figure of Constantine the Great looking to proper left, wearing a long robe; inscribed at edge "CONSTANTINVS·INXRO·DEO·FIDELIS·IMPERATOR·ET·MODERATOR ROMANORVM·ET·SEMPER·AVGVSTVS" and below horse "234".
Reverse: Fountain composed of basin of water, plant, and cross (possibly Fountain of Life); flanked by clothed, older woman on proper right and semi-nude younger woman on proper left, both seated; inscribed at sides of cross "Z" to proper right and "T" to proper left and at edge "·MIHI·ABSIT·GLORIARI·NIS·IN·CRVCE·DOMINI·NOSTRI·IHV·XRI·"
InscriptionsObverse: Inscribed at edge "CONSTANTINVS·INXRO·DEO·FIDELIS·IMPERATOR·ET·MODERATOR ROMANORVM·ET·SEMPER·AVGVSTVS" ["Constantine, faithful in Christ our God, emperor and ruler of the Romans forever exalted"] and below horse "234".
Reverse: Inscribed at sides of cross "Z" to proper right and "T" to proper left and at edge "·MIHI·ABSIT·GLORIARI·NIS·IN·CRVCE·DOMINI·NOSTRI·IHV·XRI·" [God forbid that I should glory in anything save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" from Galatians 6:14].
Reverse: Inscribed at sides of cross "Z" to proper right and "T" to proper left and at edge "·MIHI·ABSIT·GLORIARI·NIS·IN·CRVCE·DOMINI·NOSTRI·IHV·XRI·" [God forbid that I should glory in anything save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" from Galatians 6:14].
ProvenanceWilhelm IX, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel (b. 1743 - d. 1821) [see note 1]. 1957, Leopold Blumka, New York; 1957, sold by Blumka to the MFA for $1,500. (Accession Date: March 14, 1957)
NOTES:
[1] According to information supplied by curator Hanns Swarzenski at the time of the medal's acquisition.
NOTES:
[1] According to information supplied by curator Hanns Swarzenski at the time of the medal's acquisition.