ITALY. Venice.. Isabella Sesso Michiel (daughter of Benedetto Michiel of Venice and Maria Pagallo of Vicenza; and wife of Giambattista Sesso), died in 1528. Medal (Bronze, 40 mm, 19.00 g, 6 h), a contemporary cast, or after Giovanni Maria Pomedelli (1478-1537), Vicenza, c. 1517-1528. ISABELLA.SESSA.MICHAEL.VENETA. Draped bust of Isabella to left, her head bare and with her hair tied in a bun at the back. Rev. FORTVNA.AETERNA Fortuna, nude but for some flowing drapery running from her right arm over her legs, standing facing on an uncertain object, her head turned to right, holding three spikes with her upraised right hand and a bridle (?) with her left. Hill 603 (citing a medal in Vienna). Intriguing and rare, with a tan-gold patina and a good portrait of a redoubtable woman. Fields smoothed, otherwise, good very fine.

From the collection of a Bon Vivant.