Summary

Copy of a medal of Cristoforo Moro (Mauro), Doge of Venice in two halves. The original medal was made between 1462 and 1471 by Antonello Grifo (Antonello della Moneta). This Electrotype copy made circa 1881 by Robert Ready. The original medal from the collection of George III (Reg:G3,VenM.13) was exhibited in the King's Library of the British Museum in 1881 and is No. 74 in the catalogue of that exhibition. It is thought that this electrotype was produced in association with that exhibition and publication and acquired by the National Gallery of Victoria where it was displayed in the late 1880s. The original medal is cast bronze the electrotype copper plated and toned.

Cristoforo became Doge of Venice in 1462 at the advanced age of 72. The next year,10 years after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, their troops occupied the Venetian fortress of Argos, Greece. This led to a coalition being formed between Venice, Hungary and the Albanian prince Skanderbeg with the blessing of Pope Paul II to counter the threat of Sultan Mehmed II's aggression.

Obverse Description

Bust of Cristoforo Moro facing left wearing ducal robes and cap; around, CRISTOFORVS . MAVRO . DVX .; on bust truncation, ANT

Reverse Description

Within a closed oak-wreath, . RELIGIONIS . ET . IVSTICIAE . CVLTOR .

Edge Description

Plain

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