Lot 113: [ ITALIAN MEDALS ]

ATTRIBUTED TO NICCOLÒ SPINELLI, called NICCOLÒ FIORENTINO (1430-1514) Girolamo Savonarola (1452-1498), Dominican theologian and preacher, bronze medal, bust left in habit with hood raised, rev., a hand issuing from clouds holding a dagger over the city of Florence, 59.5mm (Hill 1076; Armand I, 105; Bargello 271), pierced, the obverse with traces of gilding, a fine early cast

The reverse illustrates Savonarola's dream with the sword of God representing the French invasion of Florence that he prophesied.