The Anti-Christian Confederacy

The Anti-Christian Confederacy, heavy silver Dutch satirical medal, 1688, by Jan Smeltzing, Suleiman II (1687-1691), Sultan of Turkey; Louis XIV, Hussein Mezzo-Morto (d. 1701), Dey of Algiers, and James II, all with swords drawn, stand round the blazing altar of Discord, rev., three lilies supporting a crescent, an imp above in a Jesuit's cap, IN FOEDERE QUINTUS, 50.5mm (MI 632/54; Eim. 295; vL III, 347; Mont. 1087; Voltolina 1075). Extremely fine and extremely rare.

It was believed that there was an anti-Protestant treaty with France and the James II had allowed Algerian Corsairs to land Dutch prizes in England; whilst Louis XIV was said to be encouraging Turkish hostility towards the German states. The fifth member of the Confederacy was the Devil.

Provenance: Jean Elsen Auction, 14 June, 2008 (lot 2295)