Grand Tour Ebonized Framed Bronze Relief Plaque of Count Lorenzo Magalotti, 19th Century

Details

Description

A striking and intellectually compelling 19th-century grand tour cast bronze commemorative medal plaque depicting the celebrated florentine polymath, diplomat and … Read more A striking and intellectually compelling 19th-century grand tour cast bronze commemorative medal plaque depicting the celebrated florentine polymath, diplomat and poet, count lorenzo magalotti (1637–1712).

beautifully mounted within a contemporary 19th-century double-sided ebonized wooden frame, this piece was specifically designed for display in a gentleman’s library or cabinet of curiosities, allowing both the exceptional obverse portrait and the allegorical reverse to be viewed and handled.

the iconography & artistry

the obverse features a powerful, high-relief profile bust of magalotti facing right, adorned in a dramatic baroque peruke (wig) and classical drapery. Legibly inscribed comes lavrentivs magalotti, it bears the cast signature of the renowned florentine sculptor and architect antonio montauti (ant. Montauti f.) beneath the truncation of the bust.

the reverse presents a rich mythological allegory dedicated to magalotti’s dual legacy in the arts and empirical sciences. It depicts apollo with a sunburst halo, gesturing with his lyre toward a globe, quadrant, and books. The inscription reads omnia lvstrat ("he illuminates all things"), with the roman numeral date cio io cc xii (1712) at the base, commemorating the year of magalotti’s death and the founding of the original medal by montauti and scholar anton maria salvini.

material & presentation

this piece is a classic interpretation produced for the grand tour market, prized for its rich, handled patina. The raised reliefs have rubbed down to a warm, golden-brass tone, while the fields retain a deep, dark brown coloration with a distinct antique granularity.

the medal is housed in a custom, open-aperture ebonized softwood mount featuring a rudimentary brass suspension loop at the top. This functional, double-sided framing elevates the piece from a numismatic coin into a ready-to-display sculptural desk object or wall hanging, perfectly capturing the sought-after "english country house" aesthetic.

condition report
the bronze exhibits an excellent, authentic aged patina with beautiful contrast between the highlighted relief and the recessed fields. Minor, stable spots of historic green verdigris are present in the deep recesses of the reverse, adding to its genuine antique appeal. The 19th-century ebonized frame displays wear and a cosmetic chip to the softwood on the reverse edge, consistent with age and handling over the many decades. This piece has an attribution mark,
i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
issues arising from misattribution See less