Antonio di Puccio called Pisanello (c. 1394-1455), Domenico Novello Malatesta (1418-65), Lord of Cesena, bronze medal, DVX EQVITVM PRAESTANS, bare-headed bust left; across field MALATESTA NOVELLVS CESENAE DOMINVS, rev., OPVS PISANI PICTORIS, Domenico in full armour, having dismounted from his horse, kneels at the foot of the Crucifix set in a rocky landscape, 84mm (Hill 35 (84.5-86mm); Armand I, 6, 16; Pollard 15 = Kress 15; Bargello 22; Cordellier 275; Syson/Gordon 73, fig. 4.50; Scher, Currency of Fame 6; Scaglia 7; Scher 7; Bonazzi 17), pierced and cast from a pierced example, scratches in the fields, a very fine old cast with light brown patina Provenance: John R. Gaines collection; Michael Hall, New York.The present medal is cast from the example now in the Cleveland Museum of Art (Wixom, W.D., Renaissance Bronzes from Ohio Collections (1975), no. 20 and see https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1938.309.b). Made around 1445, this sublime medal of Domenico Malatesta, the younger brother of Sigismondo (see lot 6) was executed when Pisanello was at the height of his creative powers. The reverse with Domenico in full armour grasping the base of a crucifix is thought to reflect the vow he made following the battle of Montolmo in 1444 when, in danger of being captured, he vowed to build a hospital dedicated to the Holy Crucifix if he escaped. The image of the crucifix recalls Pisanello's painting of The Vision of St. Eustace.

Estimate: GBP 1500 - 2500