Henri IV (1553-1589-1610) and Marie de Médicis (1573-1642)

Henri IV (1553-1589-1610) and Marie de Médicis (1573-1642), King and Queen of France, oval silver portrait medal, by Simon de Passe, unsigned, circa 1625, in imitation of engraving, conjoined busts to right, he in decorated armour, a sash from his left shoulder and, on a ribbon, the Badge of the Order of the St. Esprit, she with decorative high lace collar and jewelled star in her hair, signed below, "Simon Passæus fecit", HENR IIII CHRIST RE MARIA AVGVSTA, rev., crowned oval with the shields of France and Navarre and crowned H and olive branches, within the Collars of the Orders of St. Michael and the St. Esprit, signed below, "Sim: Passæus sculpsit", 66 x 55mm (MI 240/7). A superb medal, extremely fine and extremely rare.

The medal is believed to have been commissioned at the time of the marriage of Charles I and Henrietta Maria of France (1625), to honour the Bride's parents. 7 examples listed in the Falkiner Index.

Provenance: Baldwin Auction, 15 October, 2002 (lot 976).