medal(no reverse)
- Museum number
- G3,IP.1140
- Description
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Cast lead medal with no reverse. (whole)
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Bust of Guillaume du Vair, right, wearing magistrate's robes and a skull cap. (obverse)
- Production date
- 1621
- Dimensions
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Thickness: 1.80 - 3.90 millimetres
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Diameter: 47.000 millimetres
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Weight: 40.97 grammes
- $Inscriptions
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- Curator's comments
- Jones 2
De Bie gives a medal of du Vair with the reverse legend FAMA SVPER AETHERA NOTVS, not known to Mazerolle (see 1).
Guillaume du Vair was born in Paris in 1556. He became Keeper of the Seals in 1616, resigned after a disagreement with the King, but was reappointed in 1617. He died on 3rd August 1621 at Tonneins while accompanying the King on his campaign against the Protestants. His death was commemorated in La releation de la mort de M Du Vair and by Malherbe, Grotius and Peiresc (see 2). It seems probable that this medal was made in his memory, in the second half of 1621.
Other examples:
(a) Cabinet des Médailles, Bibliothèque Nationale, 58 rue de Richelieu, 75084 Paris, France, Sér. Icon. Fr. 2150, cast bronze, 49.5 mm (47.5 mm excluding rim).
(b) Albert I Royal Library, Brussels, gilt bronze, 47 mm.
Bibliography:
1. J. de Bie Les familles de la France p. 165, v.
2. C.A. Sapey Guillaume Du Vair Paris 1858 p. 122.
3. Philippe Tamizey de Larroque Lettres inédites de Guillaume du Vair Paris 1873.
4. Mazerolle II, no. 752.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1825
- Department
- Coins and Medals
- Registration number
- G3,IP.1140
- C&M catalogue number
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MF2 (Jones 2) (120) (80)
