Lot 152: 18th C Italian Bronze Tazza w/ Rare 15th C Medal

Description: 18TH C BRONZE TAZZA W/ RARE 15TH C MEDAL - 18th century Italian Classical Bronze Tazza with a rare 1449 Medal by Antonio Pisanello (1395-1455), inset at center, the reverse of a commemoration for Alfonso of Aragon, King of Naples (1396-1458), the reverse of the medal is exposed and depicts an allegory of liberality, an eagle on a branch over his prey, surrounded by lesser birds, captioned 'Liberalitus Augusta', an allusion to his reputation as a generous king, and marked 'Pisani Pictoris Opus' at bottom. The medal, at 4 1/4", is one of the largest and most desirable of the Renaissance period, a fine (but holed) example is in the Victoria & Albert collection. The tazza, with applied Roman loop handles, is decorated on the underside with heads of Bacchus, relief of Pompeian vinery, it appears that it is designed to come apart and release the medal, 3 1/8" tall to rim, 16 1/4" wide at handles, good condition, a few spots of corrosion.