Medal — Medal of Cardinal Grimani, Italy, ca. 1500
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1500
Medal in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number 520-1903), made in Italy, dated ca. 1500, attributed to Camelio. The museum's brief description reads: Medal, bronze, depicting Cardinal Domenico Grimani, by Camelio (Vittore Gambello), Italy, ca.
1500. Museum description: This medal depicts: Obv.: DOMINCUS: CARDINALIS: GRIMANVS. Bust to the left bareheaded. Rev. THEOLOGIA : PHILOSOPHIA. Female figures emblematical of Theology and Philosophy. Theology standing beneath a palm-tree holds the hand of Philosophy who is seated before her, and points upwards with her right hand; the figures are draped. The museum records it as Bronze cast in relief, measuring Diameter 5.4 cm.
These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Thi medal depicts on the obverse the bareheaded bust to the left, of Cardinal Domenico Grimani (b. 1461; d. 1523), who was a Venetian Churchman and Cardinal between the years 1493-1523. On the reverse are allegorical female figures symbolising Theology and Philosophy. Theology, standing beneath a palm tree, holds Philosophy's hand, who is seated before her, and points upwards with her right hand. The figures are draped. The medallist was Camelio, also called Vittore Gambello. He was a Venetian sculptor, goldsmith, coin-engraver, founder and medallist (b. 1460; d. 1539). His career ranges from 1484 - 1523. The invention of cutting dies in steel is attributed to him. This technique allowed more minute work to be introduced into medals, marking a new era in medallic engraving.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- bronze
- Dimensions
- Diameter 5.4 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Bronze cast in relief
- Maker recorded
- Camelio
- Place recorded
- Italy
Design
- Inscriptions recorded
- DOMINCUS: CARDINALIS: GRIMANVS; THEOLOGIA : PHILOSOPHI
Identification
- Museum object name
- Medal
- Museum object number
- 520-1903
- Museum system number
- O172377
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and catalogue references against a specialist reference.