Circle of Giovanni Candida (c. 1445/50-99), Nicolas Maugras, as Bishop of Uzès (1483-1503), bronze medal, NICOLAVS MALEGRASSI EPS VCECIENSIS, tonsured bust right, rev., IN VMBRA MANVS SVE PROTEXIT ME DNS, the arms of Maugras over a crozier, 83.3mm (Hill 841 (80.5-83.5mm); Armand II, 86, 13; Kress 229 = Pollard 263), pierced, some old scratches, a very fine contemporary cast with a strongly defined portrait, with black patina Provenance: John R. Gaines collection.This medal of Nicolas Maugras was fully accepted as Candida’s by de la Tour (1894). While it shares affinities with his medal of Giuliano and Clemente della Rovere (c.1495), notably the distinctive triangular stops in the legend, the strikingly lifelike portrait rendered in high relief, the deep rims and bold lettering are so unlike his other works, which employ subtler modelling, that both Hill and Pollard saw Candida’s influence but not his hand.

Estimate: GBP 3000 - 5000