Maria Anna

Maria Anna, Infanta of Spain (1606-1646), oval silver portrait medal by Simon de Passe, circa 1616, signed 'Simon Paß: fecit Lond:' on the reverse, bust of the Infanta three-quarters left, jewelled bands in her hair, richly embroidered dress with deep ruff collar, SERENma D MARIA D'AUSTRIA PHILPPI DG HISP REG INFAN, rev., legend within narrow wreath in French and, below, English, LE TRES ILLUSTRE PRINCESSE MARIA … and 'The Most Illustrious Princesse Mary …', 58 x 45.5 mm, including mount but not suspender (MI 218/70), set in a later gold display mount with swivelling suspension loop. A superb portrait medal, extremely fine, extremely rare and toned.

James I, who had signed a Peace Treaty with Spain shortly after his succession, wished to further unite the English and Spanish royal families between. Marriage between Prince Henry and the Infanta Maria was first proposed in 1611 and revived after Henry's death with Prince Charles, from whence this medal dates, and when the Infanta would have been ten years of age. In 1623 Charles and the Duke of Buckingham went, uninvited, to Madrid, returning in September. Shortly after his accession Charles married Henrietta Maria, daughter of Henry IV of France, whist the Infanta Maria married Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor.

Five examples listed in the Falkiner Index. The J. G. Murdoch catalogue (Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 2 June, 1904, lot 38), states that the only other example know to the cataloguers was that in the collection of Lord Craven. It is therefore quite possible that this is indeed the Craven specimen.

Provenance: Morton & Eden Auction, 21 May, 2003 (lot 1130); ex Greta S. Heckett Collection, Sotheby's, 3 May 1977 (lot 58).