Lot 129: Niccol di Forzore Spinelli, called Niccolò Fiorentino (1430-1514) Fra Gerolamo Savonarola, bronze medal, 59.5mm., an old...

Niccol di Forzore Spinelli, called Niccolò Fiorentino (1430-1514)
Fra Gerolamo Savonarola, bronze medal, 59.5mm., an old cast with traces of gilding, brown patina, pierced at 12 o'clock

Obverse: bust of Savonarola to left, wearing habit with hood raised, HIERONYMVS SAVO PER VIR DOCTISSs ORDINIS PR-EDICHARVM

Reverse: a hand issuing from a cloud, holds a dagger over a fortified city, GLADIVS DOMINI - SVP TERAM ET VELOCITER

The 'Gladius Domini', the Sword of the Lord, on the reverse is a reference to Savonarola's prediction that Italy, and in particular Florence, would be put to the sword as a punishment for the people's abandonment of strict religion in favour of more secular, and therefore sinful, pursuits. The French invasion of Italy in 1495, was of course seen by many as the fulfilment of this prophecy. The medals were made after Savonarola's downfall and execution.

References
Armand I, 105; Bargello I, 271; Hill 1076