The sculpture is a round, medallion-like piece featuring a mythical creature that combines features of a horse and a dragon, with the head of the horse having visible ears, eyes, and nostrils, transitioning into a scaly, serpent-like body. At the top of the medallion, there is a depiction of a reclining animal situated above a banner with inscriptions. The sculpture is made of a material that appears to be bronze or a similar metal, given its dark, coppery color and patina. The intricate details of the scales and the texture of the creature's mane and features are carefully rendered. The medallion also includes decorative elements around the border.
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The sculpture is a round, medallion-like piece featuring a mythical creature that combines features of a horse and a dragon, with the head of the horse having visible ears, eyes, and nostrils, transitioning into a scaly, serpent-like body. At the top of the medallion, there is a depiction of a reclining animal situated above a banner with inscriptions. The sculpture is made of a material that appears to be bronze or a similar metal, given its dark, coppery color and patina. The intricate details of the scales and the texture of the creature's mane and features are carefully rendered. The medallion also includes decorative elements around the border.

National Gallery of Art · Sculpture

Allegorical Plaquette [obverse]

Italian 16th Century

Date
first half 16th century
Medium
bronze//Medium brown patina
Dimensions
overall (irregular): 8.5 x 5.8 cm (3 3/8 x 2 5/16 in.)
Classification
Sculpture · Plaquette
Accession number
1957.14.469.a
Credit line
Samuel H. Kress Collection
Time span
1401 to 1500
Department
CSD

Subjects and terms

  • Italian
  • fantasy
  • animal
  • Renaissance
  • Renaissance Plaquettes
  • Monster
Provenance

Gustave Dreyfus [1837-1914], Paris; his estate; purchased 1930 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London and New York); purchased 1945 by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York; gift 1957 to NGA.

Inscription

across top: RISUM TENEATIS AMICI

NGA object ID 44186. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.