Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (c.1471-1530)

Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (c.1471-1530), cast bronze medal, unsigned, bust right wearing buttoned gown and cap, THOMAS VOLSEY S F E CA…, rev., naked female figure, perhaps Peace, holding palm branch and standing facing on globe, around which entwined a serpent with three heads, 59mm (MI -; Eim. -; Att -; Pollard -; Arm. -). A piece broken from edge, at 4 o'clock, very fine and a cast of considerable age.

The medal is a late 17th century restitution. It appears to be by the same hand as the excessively rare medal of Sir Thomas Moore (MI 34/23) and by an unknown Florentine medallist (D.Fearon, Numismatic Circular, June 1978, where the Moore medal is discussed).

Provenance: Ex. Michael Hall Collection, Part III; Baldwin Auction, 28 September 2010 (lot 2522)