Sale: Nomos 5, Lot: 64. Estimate CHF6000.  Closing Date: Monday, 24 October 2011.  Sold For CHF6000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Brandenburg-Prussia. Friedrich Wilhelm, The Great Elector. 1640-1688. Medal (Silver, 75mm, 115 g 12), designed as a gift to foreign ambassadors, by J. Höhn (fl. 1637-1693 and C. Melchior (fl. 1660s), Danzig, undated but before 1663. FRIDERICHUS WILHELMUS D.G.MARCH.BRAND.S.R.I.ARCHICAM.ET P.ELECT.MAGD.PRIUS.IUL.CLIV.MONT: Within a very elaborate cartouche (surmounted by a crown, adorned with fruits and flowers, supported by two winged creatures with human bodies and serpent tails, and closed with the head of cherub) a facing bust of Friedrich Wilhelm, turned slightly to right, bare headed, draped and cuirassed; below truncation, CM; on either side of cherub’s head, I H. Rev. STET.POM.CAS.VAND.IN SIL.CROS.ET CAR.DUX BURG.NOR.PR.HALB.ET MIND.COM.MARCH.ET RAV.DN,IN RAVE: Crowned eagle adorned with the shields of the 24 lands of Brandenburg. Brockmann 275. Menadier 141. North 35. Oelrichs 80. Very attractively toned and most attractive. Extremely fine.

This superb piece was made for use as a memento, to be given to the envoys who came to the court of Friedrich Wilhelm in the years just before 1663. It is actually remarkably elegant and has a portrait that is masterfully done, showing both thoughtfulness and pathos.