Watch List notes:

*Italy, Cardinal Alessandro Farnese (1520-1589), bronze medal , signed r f, 1575, bust right, rev., fecit anno sal mdlxxv, façade of the Gesù in Rome; signed on either side of the steps, r – f and with an inscription across the front reading alex car farn r e vic, 45mm (cf. Attwood 1001; Toderi & Vannel 2346; Rizzini 377; Arm. -), extremely fine and sharp contemporary cast, slight area of pitting on reverse, with fine brown patina The medal reverse shows the façade of the Gesù, the mother church of the Jesuits, which was completed by the architect Giacomo della Porta in 1575. The church itself was not finished and consecrated until 1584, financed by the Farnese. Authorities have in the past assigned the medal to Gaspare Romanelli but the style and fabric differ from his known works.

Estimate: £700 - 1000