Read the visual description
This is a photograph of a medieval seal matrix. The object is round with an engraved central design featuring a shield with two scallop shells at the top and a floral motif at the bottom. Surrounding the central imagery is an inscription in Latin that reads "PROTEGIT MEDIUS IN UMBRA MANUS." The seal matrix has a dark brown patina with spots of green oxidation. The details in the engraving suggest a high level of craft typical of medieval heraldic seals, used for authenticating documents.
National Gallery of Art · Sculpture
Arms of Maugras over a Crozier [reverse]
Attributed to Giovanni Candida
- Date
- c. 1500
- Medium
- bronze//High rim
- Dimensions
- overall (diameter): 8.39 cm (3 5/16 in.) gross weight: 152.86 gr (0.337 lb.) axis: 1:00
- Classification
- Sculpture · Medal/Medallion
- Accession number
- 1957.14.823.b
- Credit line
- Samuel H. Kress Collection
- Time span
- 1401 to 1500
- Department
- CSD
Subjects and terms
- French
- Roman
- Renaissance
- personal
- symbol
- Coat of Arms
- Maugras, Nicolas, Bishop of Uzes
Provenance
Gustave Dreyfus [1837-1914], Paris; his heirs; purchased with the entire Dreyfus collection 9 July 1930 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London, New York, and Paris); sold 31 January 1944 to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York;[1] gift 1957 to NGA. [1] The Duveen Brothers Records document the firm’s sixteen year pursuit and eventual acquisition of the Dreyfus collection, which included paintings, sculptures, small bronzes, medals, and plaquettes. Bequeathed as part of his estate to Dreyfus’ widow and five children (a son and four daughters), who had differing opinions about its disposition, the collection was not sold until after his widow’s death in April 1929. Duveen did not wish to separate Dreyfus’ collection of small bronzes, medals, and plaquettes, and it was sold intact to the Kress Foundation for a price that was met by installment payments every three months. (Duveen Brothers Records, accession number 960015, Research Library, The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles: reel 301, box 446, folders 3 and 4; reel 302, box 447, folders 1-6; reel 303, box 448, folders 1 and 2; reel 330, box 475, folder 4.) See also George Francis Hill’s discussion "A Note on Pedigrees" in his catalogue, _The Gustave Dreyfus Collection: Renaissance Medals_, Oxford, 1931: xii, which was commissioned by Duveen Brothers.
Inscription
around circumference: IN VMBRA MANVS SVE PROTEXIT ME D[omi]N[u]S
NGA object ID 44738. 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.