Watch List notes:

European Medals from 1513 to 1788

Germany, Electoral Saxony. Johann Friedrich der Grossmütige, 1532-1547. Medal (Silver, 59mm, 59 g 12), original cast from the workshop of N. Milicz, on the Elector's defeat at the Battle of Mühlberg, 1547. LVMI.ET.ORA.CAROLI.V.IMPERATOREIS. GRE.FERDINADVS.D G.ROMANO.BPE.HVNG.Z.REX. Confronted busts of the brothers Emperor Charles V and King Ferdinand I facing each other, both bearded and wearing caps, robes and the Order of the Golden Fleece; all within an architectural frame with putto holding shields above and below; around, olive wreath border. Rev. CAPTI VITAS/IOANIS.FRIDERICI//DVCIS SAXONIAE/. M.D. XLVII. Scene of the battle of Mühlberg; around, wreathed border. Domanig 227. Habich 1909 (as 'Monogrammist WS', this piece cited). Katz 313 (as Nickel Milicz). Löbbecke 417 ('Bömische Meister', this piece). Very rare as a silver original. A superb, toned example, beautifully cast. Some typical contemporary polishing done after casting and some very minor marks, otherwise, good extremely fine.

From the collection of Georg Baums, ex Laugwitz and Menzel 2, 25 October 1978, 472, from the collection of Arthur Löbbecke, J. Hirsch XXIII, 26 November 1908, 417, as well as from the Hess auction of 25 May 1891 ("a distinguished Hungarian art collector") and from the Wunderly von Muralt collection.

This splendid medal, surely one of the finest examples known and once in a number of great 19th century collections, was produced to commemorate the defeat of the Protestant Schmalkaldic League by the forces of Charles V, the two leaders of the League, the Elector Johann Friedrich and Philip I of Hesse were both captured and Johann Friedrich was deposed from the electorate and imprisoned.