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The image shows a medallion featuring a nude male figure holding a key in one hand and a torch in the other, surrounded by celestial elements like stars and a globe in relief. The medallion is made of bronzed material with an aged appearance. There is a banner above the figure with unclear text and the year "1555" below. At the top, there is a loop-like structure for hanging or attachment, ornamented with a symbolic motif.
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The image shows a medallion featuring a nude male figure holding a key in one hand and a torch in the other, surrounded by celestial elements like stars and a globe in relief. The medallion is made of bronzed material with an aged appearance. There is a banner above the figure with unclear text and the year "1555" below. At the top, there is a loop-like structure for hanging or attachment, ornamented with a symbolic motif.

National Gallery of Art · Sculpture

Allegorical Plaquette [reverse]

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.b
Credit line
Samuel H. Kress Collection
Time span
1401 to 1500
Department
CSD
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • Italian
  • allegory
  • Janus
  • Renaissance
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 on scroll: AB ORIGINE MUNDI; across bottom: AS 568

NGA object ID 44187. 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.