Nomos AG
Auction 25 20 Nov 2022
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ITALY. Papal States. Paul III (Alessandro Farnese), 1534-1549. Seal or Bulla (Lead, 42 mm, 47.89 g, 12 h), struck from dies prepared by Benevenuto Cellini, for which he was meant to paid 50 Scudi, Rome. S / P/A - S/ P/E Nimbate facing heads of St. Paul to left and St. Peter to right; between them, Latin cross. Rev. • PAVLVS •/ • PAPA • / • III • (fleur-de-lis stops) in three lines; above, chevron of six fleur-de-lis. Serafini 307-8. Struck on an unusually large flan and from dies of the finest style, engraved by one of the greatest artists of a flamboyant age. Struck somewhat off-centre, otherwise, nearly very fine.
From the Dr. Pelc Dens Sapientiae Collection, USA.
At first glance the condition of this seal would definitely fall into the rubric of not good enough! And it would really not be, save for the story that it was designed by the famous artist and showman Benvenuto Cellini! Pope Paul III was a patron of Cellini's and spent quite a lot of effort getting the artist out of trouble (Cellini was a 16th century version of the modern Damian Hurst, though definitely more outrageous in every way). The use of the Farnese lis as a part of the reverse design was quite an innovation.
From the Dr. Pelc Dens Sapientiae Collection, USA.
At first glance the condition of this seal would definitely fall into the rubric of not good enough! And it would really not be, save for the story that it was designed by the famous artist and showman Benvenuto Cellini! Pope Paul III was a patron of Cellini's and spent quite a lot of effort getting the artist out of trouble (Cellini was a 16th century version of the modern Damian Hurst, though definitely more outrageous in every way). The use of the Farnese lis as a part of the reverse design was quite an innovation.