Sir Richard Shelley (b. 1514)

Sir Richard Shelley (b. 1514), Grand Prior of the Knights of Malta in England, later Turcopolier of infantry, cast bronze portrait medal, 1577, perhaps Venetian, perhaps by Bernard Rantwic, half-length bust right wearing armour bearing the cross of the Knights of Malta on breastplate, ruff collar and scarf tied at his right, 68.5mm (MI 127/74; cf Eim. 49; Schembri - ; cf Pollard 2007, II, 780; cf Kress 640; cf. Salton 151). An early aftercast (from a pierced example), very fine.

Provenance: Ex. Papillon Collection, Bonhams, 25 March, 1998 (lot 10). Ex. The Christopher Foley F.S.A. Collection of English Medals of the 15th-17th Centuries, Woolley & Wallis, 16 October 2014 (lot 58).