Philip II of Spain and King of England

Philip II of Spain and King of England, complimentary medal, cast bronze, 1555, by Jacopo Nizolla da Trezzo, half-length bust of Philip II, left, in armour, with badge of the Golden Fleece, mantle around his shoulders, + PHILIPPVS AVSTR CAROLI V CAES F PRINC HISP ET ANGL R, rev., Virtue, as a draped female statue stands in a small pool, on her head a vase overflowing with water from two animal heads, around, a group of figures collect the water and drink it, VIRTVS, in ex, NVNQ DEFICIT, beaded border to both sides, 79.5mm (MI 75/26). An excellent cast, good very fine with pleasant brown patina, pierced twice above head (by R and I of CAROLI), extremely rare.

The portrait type of Philip derives from another medal, signed by Leone Leoni, whilst the reverse comes from a medal dated to 1550-1552, of Gianello della Torre (1500-1585), the celebrated horologist, engineer and architect from Cremona. The cataloguers are not aware of any specimens being offered for sale in the UK auction market since Sotheby's auction, 24 May, 1897 (lot 39).

Provenance: Jean Elsen Auction, 12 March, 2005 (lot 2802)