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Preview image of work. lead,  Borso D'Este 33334
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1966.107.5.b

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Borso D'Este

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Artist

Jacopo Lixignolo

Title

Borso D'Este

Creation Date

1460

Century

15th century

Dimensions

3 3/16 in. (8.1 cm.)

Classification

Medals/Plaquettes

Creation Place

Europe, Italy

Medium and Support

lead

Credit Line

Gift of Amanda Marchesa Molinari

Copyright

Public Domain

Accession Number

1966.107.5.b

Object Description

3 BORSO D'ESTE (1413-71), Duke of Modena and Reggio 1460

Obv. Bust to right, wearing cap with fluted crown and rich dress. Around, BORSIVS . DVX . MVTINE . ET . REGII . MARCHIO . ESTENSIS . RODIGII . . . COMES . ET C .
Rev. Unicorn in mountainous landscape, dipping horn into stream, sun above. Around, OPVS lACOBIS
LIXIGNOLO MCCCCLX
Lead, 81 mm. Hole at top

According to legend, the unicorn purified streams by dipping its horn in the water.

Bibl.: Corpus, no. 94; Arm. I, p. 33; Kress, no. 35; Brescia i, p. 8, no. 59; Tresor Ital. 2, pl. 55, 2; Tervarent, cols. 235—36 (Unicorn as purifier), col. 240, ix (Unicorn as device of Borso); Heraeus, pl. 52, 5; Gruyer i, p. 608; Heiss, Niccolo etc., p. 32, pl. 4, 1.