Lot 116: Lysippus the Younger (c.1471-1484) Giovanni Alvise Toscani, bronze medal, 34.2mm., contemporary cast, brown patina ...

Lysippus the Younger (c.1471-1484)
Giovanni Alvise Toscani, bronze medal, 34.2mm., contemporary cast, brown patina

Obverse: laureate bust in profile to left, IONNES ALOISIVS TVSCANVS AVDIT ARCAM

Reverse: Pallas, in long chiton and crested helmet, standing three-quarters left on dolphin, holding in her right hand a spear round which a serpent twines, and a shield in her left, L-P in field to left and right, in exergue QVID NON PALLAS

Giovanni Alvise Toscani (Gian Luigi Toscano) a jurisconsult from Milan, was a protégé of Francesco Sforza. He went to Rome in 1468 and under Sixtus IV was appointed consistorial advocate 1473 and auditor general 1477. He was also well known as a poet and an orator. The meaning of the legends and reverse of this and other medals to him remain a mystery.


References
Armand II, 28, 14; Bargello I, 176; Hill 808