Bronze plays the leading role in this auction, which features a selection of interesting lots including plaques, medals, and various bronze objects, all created between the late 15th century and the early 19th century.
Starting in 2000 B.C., bronze was widely used in both Western and Eastern art, and while only a few rare examples remain of Greek production—beyond the memory of the legendary works of Myron, Phidias, Polykleitos, and Pythagoras of Reggio— , Etruscan and Roman production was remarkable. In the Middle Ages, ancient techniques were revived for the creation of sacred furnishings, bells, and various liturgical objects, as well as large doors in the Byzantine style; however, it was during the Renaissance and Mannerism that the technical perfection of casting was combined with remarkable artistic quality, which was also evident in medals and small reliefs—objects well represented in this auction.
The selection of medals is indeed interesting, but even more fascinating are the Renaissance plaques—small in size yet often of great artistic value and, in many cases, extremely rare— rectangular or circular bronze reliefs measuring just a few centimeters, which were widely used between the second half of the fifteenth century and the early sixteenth century, primarily as ornaments to be attached to armor and garments, but also on chests and trunks, on liturgical vestments, or even as decorations for particularly important book bindings. Famous artists such as Donatello and Filarete devoted themselves to the production of these plaques, creating three-dimensional images based on well-known drawings and paintings, drawing inspiration from archaeological finds that were being rediscovered at that very time, or creating entirely original works. In any case, these works were linked to three main iconographic themes: biblical stories and depictions of saints; emblems and allegories; and classical mythology and epic tales.
Starting in 2000 B.C., bronze was widely used in both Western and Eastern art, and while only a few rare examples remain of Greek production—beyond the memory of the legendary works of Myron, Phidias, Polykleitos, and Pythagoras of Reggio— , Etruscan and Roman production was remarkable. In the Middle Ages, ancient techniques were revived for the creation of sacred furnishings, bells, and various liturgical objects, as well as large doors in the Byzantine style; however, it was during the Renaissance and Mannerism that the technical perfection of casting was combined with remarkable artistic quality, which was also evident in medals and small reliefs—objects well represented in this auction.
The selection of medals is indeed interesting, but even more fascinating are the Renaissance plaques—small in size yet often of great artistic value and, in many cases, extremely rare— rectangular or circular bronze reliefs measuring just a few centimeters, which were widely used between the second half of the fifteenth century and the early sixteenth century, primarily as ornaments to be attached to armor and garments, but also on chests and trunks, on liturgical vestments, or even as decorations for particularly important book bindings. Famous artists such as Donatello and Filarete devoted themselves to the production of these plaques, creating three-dimensional images based on well-known drawings and paintings, drawing inspiration from archaeological finds that were being rediscovered at that very time, or creating entirely original works. In any case, these works were linked to three main iconographic themes: biblical stories and depictions of saints; emblems and allegories; and classical mythology and epic tales.
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