The Medallions of the Kings and Queens of England, 1731.
by Jean Dassier (1676 - 1763).
Part 6.
Each Medallion 41 mm diam.
The majority of these medallions appear to have come from the imagination of Dassier and his associates and should be seen as individual works of Art
All images courtesy Ben Weiss - I am very grateful for his support and assistance.
I would like to thank Professor Ben Weiss, Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology and Physiology
Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA, for allowing me to reproduce the photographs and captions.
Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA, for allowing me to reproduce the photographs and captions.
A visit to his website is essential for anyone interested in pre 19th century European Medallions.
Oliver Cromwell. (1658)
Obv: Bust of Cromwell OLIVERIUS CROMWELL
Rev: Tomb decorated with the arms of Cromwell and four infant Genii: one points to his titles, a second holds a mirror indicating Prudence, and is weeping over his death typified by a skull, another represents his success by a laurel wreath and unanimity of the kingdom by a bundle of wands bond together, and a fourth, in the character of Hercules, symbolized his power by the club and the fruit of his labors by three apples, i.e., the three kingdoms. ANGLIAE, SCO. ET HIB. PROTECTOR.
Signed: I. DASSIER. F.
Exergue: NAT. 3. APRIL. 1603. MORT. 3. SEPT. 1658.
Cromwell was born in 1599.
Ref: M.I. i, 435/87; Eimer 47/203; Eisler I, 265/35; Thompson 31/26
Rev: Tomb decorated with the arms of Cromwell and four infant Genii: one points to his titles, a second holds a mirror indicating Prudence, and is weeping over his death typified by a skull, another represents his success by a laurel wreath and unanimity of the kingdom by a bundle of wands bond together, and a fourth, in the character of Hercules, symbolized his power by the club and the fruit of his labors by three apples, i.e., the three kingdoms. ANGLIAE, SCO. ET HIB. PROTECTOR.
Signed: I. DASSIER. F.
Exergue: NAT. 3. APRIL. 1603. MORT. 3. SEPT. 1658.
Cromwell was born in 1599.
Ref: M.I. i, 435/87; Eimer 47/203; Eisler I, 265/35; Thompson 31/26
Charles II (1660 - 85).
Obv: Bust of Charles II CAROLUS. II. D. G. M. BR. FR. ET. HIB. REX.
Rev: Mercury seated, inscribing a legend on the facade of a tomb, his foot resting upon a skull. On the base of the tomb is a bas-relief of cupid presenting a wreath to Venus. NAT. 29. MAI. 1630. C. 23. APR. 1661. M. 16. FEBR. 1685.
Signed: I. DASSIER. F.
Ref: M.I. i, 602/291; Eimer 54/271; Eisler I, 263/28; Thompson 32/27
Rev: Mercury seated, inscribing a legend on the facade of a tomb, his foot resting upon a skull. On the base of the tomb is a bas-relief of cupid presenting a wreath to Venus. NAT. 29. MAI. 1630. C. 23. APR. 1661. M. 16. FEBR. 1685.
Signed: I. DASSIER. F.
Ref: M.I. i, 602/291; Eimer 54/271; Eisler I, 263/28; Thompson 32/27
James II. (1685 - 88).
Obv: Bust of James II (l) IACOBUS. II .D.G. MAG. BR. FR. ET. HIB. REX
Rev: Tomb, upon which is seated the mourning figure of Religion, holding a chalice with a host, amid various ornaments of Roman Catholicism; a cross, crucifix on a chain, and a Papal tiara with the keys of St. Peter. NAT. 13 OCT. 1633 CORONAT. 23 APR 1685 MORT. 5 SEPT. 1701
Signed: I.D.F. / I.DASSIER. F
Ref: M.I. ii, 215/537; Eimer 65/384; Eisler I, 263/29b; Thompson 32/28
Rev: Tomb, upon which is seated the mourning figure of Religion, holding a chalice with a host, amid various ornaments of Roman Catholicism; a cross, crucifix on a chain, and a Papal tiara with the keys of St. Peter. NAT. 13 OCT. 1633 CORONAT. 23 APR 1685 MORT. 5 SEPT. 1701
Signed: I.D.F. / I.DASSIER. F
Ref: M.I. ii, 215/537; Eimer 65/384; Eisler I, 263/29b; Thompson 32/28
Mary II (1689 - 94).
Obv: Bust of Mary II MARIA. II. D. G. MAG. BR. FR. ET. HIB. REGINA.
Rev: Beneath a canopy is a funerary monument, surmounted by a flaming urn decorated with a cherub’s head. Below is a tomb with bas-relief of Religion, seated with a candle, and Hymen, with an extinguished torch, lamenting the loss of Mary, while an infant Fame, seated upon a globe, proclaims her merits.
Exergue: NATA. 10. FEBR. 1662. COR. II. APR. 1689. MORT. 29. DEC. 1694.
Signed: I.D.
Ref: M.I. ii, 123/368; Eimer 63/364; Eisler I, 263/30; Thompson 33/29
Rev: Beneath a canopy is a funerary monument, surmounted by a flaming urn decorated with a cherub’s head. Below is a tomb with bas-relief of Religion, seated with a candle, and Hymen, with an extinguished torch, lamenting the loss of Mary, while an infant Fame, seated upon a globe, proclaims her merits.
Exergue: NATA. 10. FEBR. 1662. COR. II. APR. 1689. MORT. 29. DEC. 1694.
Signed: I.D.
Ref: M.I. ii, 123/368; Eimer 63/364; Eisler I, 263/30; Thompson 33/29
William III of Orange (1689 - 1702).
Obv: Bust of William III GULIELMUS. III. D. G. M. BR. FR. ET HIB. REX.
Rev: Pedestal decorated with a crown between two branches of palm. On top is a statue of Eternity seated on a celestial globe. In one hand she holds up a circle of stars and in the other a trumpet, to which is attached a ribbon with the legend AETERNITAS. On her left is Britannia seated amid piles of captured arms and standards, looking up towards Eternity. On her right is Hercules reposing upon the body of the slaughtered Hydra.
Exergue: NAT. 4. NOV. 1650. CORONAT. II. APR. 1689. MORT. 8. MART. 1702.
Signed: I.D.
Ref: M.I. ii, 225/554; Eimer 65/387; Eisler I, 264/31; Thompson 33/30
Rev: Pedestal decorated with a crown between two branches of palm. On top is a statue of Eternity seated on a celestial globe. In one hand she holds up a circle of stars and in the other a trumpet, to which is attached a ribbon with the legend AETERNITAS. On her left is Britannia seated amid piles of captured arms and standards, looking up towards Eternity. On her right is Hercules reposing upon the body of the slaughtered Hydra.
Exergue: NAT. 4. NOV. 1650. CORONAT. II. APR. 1689. MORT. 8. MART. 1702.
Signed: I.D.
Ref: M.I. ii, 225/554; Eimer 65/387; Eisler I, 264/31; Thompson 33/30
