ITALY. Rome. Cardinal Federico Cesi, 1544-1565. Medal (Bronze, 35 mm, 25.32 g, 12 h), by Gianfederico Bonzagna (1507-1588), who worked at Rome from the 1550s through the 1570s, 1561. FEDERICVS.EPS.PRENESTIN.S.R.E. CARDIN.CAESIVS Bearded and tonsured bust of Cardinal Cesi to left, wearing hooded cassock. Rev. DIVE.CATHERINE.TEMPLVM.ANNO. CHRISTI / MDLXI Facade of the church of S. Caterina dei Funari in Rome. Attwood 959. Molinari 39. Struck in high relief and especially nice. Very attractive light brown patina. Extremely fine.

From the collection of a Bon Vivant, ex Nomos 5, 25 October 2011, 40.

Federico Cesi became a cardinal in 1544 and was also, among other things, the archbishop of Palestrina from 1557 to 1562. He helped finance the rebuilding of the Church of S. Catherine of the “Rope Makers” (Funari) in 1560-1564. It had been turned over to the Jesuits in 1534 and became the headquarters of a confraternity for the saving of ‘poor, homeless maidens’ who were, in fact the daughters of either very poor families or prostitutes. The church itself is famous for its interior adornment.