ITALY. Ferrara or Firenze. Medal (Bronze, 98 mm, 481.64 g, 12 h), on the visit of the Byzantine emperor John VIII Palaeologus (1425-1448) to the Council of Basel, Ferrara and Florence (1431-1449) in 1439. By Antonio Pisano ('Pisanello', circa 1395-1455). A much later cast reproduction. + ἸⲰÁNNHC•BACIΛЄὺC•KAῚ•ἈVTO KRÁTⲰP•ῬⲰMÁIⲰN•Ὁ•ΠAΛAIOΛOΓOC Bust of John VIII to right, wearing bride-brimmed hat with tall crown. Rev. OPVS•PISANI•PICTO/RIS John VIII riding on horseback to right through mountains; on the left, page on horseback to left; to right, wayside cross; below, banner inscribed ἔPΓON•TȎV•ΠICÁNOV•ZωΓPÁΦOV. Pollard, National Gallery 1. Minor traces of mounting, otherwise, good very fine.


This is a later reproduction of the famous Pisanello medal showing the Byzantine emperor, John VIII Palaeologus, on his visit to the ecumenical Council of Basel, Ferrara and Florence (1431-1449) in 1439, where he appealed to the leaders of western Christianity for help against the Ottoman threat. Pisanello's chef d'oeuvre is not only a fascinating blend of western and eastern culture, it is also the earliest Renaissance portrait medal, setting the stage for all later artists to come.