Presentation medal (Gnadenpfennig) of Maximilian, Archduke of Austria (1558–1620)
This presentation medal was designed by an imperial artist for the Habsburg Archduke Maximilian III of Austria, brother of Archduke Albert VII. On its reverse is Maximilian III’s motto and the image of an ancient Roman army camp. The very same camp architecture can be found on the Otho dish, where it provides the setting for Otho’s noble suicide. Both the dish and the medal were inspired by an image published in Du Choul’s antiquarian treatise. Correspondences such as these suggest that whatever the origin of the Silver Caesars, they were likely designed with Habsburg iconography in mind.
Artwork Details
- Title: Presentation medal (Gnadenpfennig) of Maximilian, Archduke of Austria (1558–1620)
- Maker: Alessandro Abondio (Italian, ca. 1570–1648)
- Date: ca. 1612
- Culture: Austrian, probably Vienna
- Medium: Gold, partly enameled; pearl
- Dimensions: Overall: 4 1/8 × 2 in. (10.5 × 5.1 cm)
- Classifications: Metalwork-Gold and Platinum, Jewelry
- Credit Line: Gift of George Blumenthal, 1941
- Object Number: 41.100.31
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
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German
1612
Isidor Canevale
Johann Georg Leithner
ca. 1765–72, with later additions
Multiple artists/makers
1641–42, the jeweled elements on the lid in the form of animals, amorini holding bow and quiver, and the statuettes of Orpheus and Diana, Prague, ca.1600
Ignaz Joseph Würth
marked 1781
Ignaz Joseph Würth
1781
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