Mary

Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587), a restitutional cast copper medal, 1578, after Iacopo Primavera (active c.1568-1585), bust of Mary to right, wearing close-buttoned dress with small ruff collar, tunic and veil, MARIA STOVVAR REGI SCOTI ANGLI, signed IA PRIMAVE, rev., a design adapted from a medal of Ercole II d'Este, fourth Duke of Ferrara (1508-1534-1559), possibly by Pompeo Leoni (c.1533-1608), Patience stands in a landscape holding palm branch and clock, to right a water mill and castle, SVPERANDA OMNIS FORTVNA, 62mm (for obverse: MI 118/52; CP.14/17; Pollard 2007, II, 621; Kress 543; Pollard, Bargello 621; Maz. 299; for reverse: Pollard 2007, II, 621; Kress 446 ; Pollard, Bargello 514; Arm I, 250, 5), late 18th century. A handsome and pleasantly patinated medal, extremely fine and rare.

The widow's veil suggests a date of 1578, following the death of Bothwell. However it is placed here (1572) following the sequence in Medallic Illustrations.

Provenance: Bt. R. Falkiner, 2008; unknown 19th century French collection - ticket sold with lot.