Reference:6473 Ercole II d'Este, 4th Duke of Ferrara, Modena and Regia, c. 1530

Large bust of Ercole II d'Este to right, bearded and wearing a cuirass and mantle. HER. II. DVX. FERR. IIII. MVT. ET. REG.

Two fully armoured knights, mounted in equestrian combat, within the precincts of a castle exterior, observed on its castellated ramparts by three standing figures.

Unidentified artist. 

Bronze, cast (505 grammes); 132 mm. 

Condition: Very Fine

Notes:

Both in diameter and weight, this is amongst the largest cast bronze medallic productions of the Renaissance and post-Renaissance period, with what appears to be a contemporary or near-contemporary cast. The portrait is powerfully expressive, with qualities otherwise absent in the soemwhat crudely executed and busying design on the reverse.