Sir Richard Shelley (b. 1514)

Sir Richard Shelley (b. 1514), Grand Prior of the Knights of Malta in England, later Turcopolier of infantry, cast bronze portrait medal, 1577, perhaps Venetian, perhaps by Bernard Rantwic, half-length bust right wearing armour bearing the cross of the Knights of Malta on breastplate, ruff collar and scarf tied at his right, RICARDVS SCELLEIVS PRIOR ANGLIAE AN.SVAE.LXIIII rev., a griffin, ducally gorged, in landscape, PATRIARVM EXCVBITOR OPVM, 68.5mm (MI 127/74; cf Eim. 49; Schembri - ; cf Pollard 2007, II, 780; cf Kress 640; cf. Salton 151). An early aftercast (from a pierced example), very fine.

Shelley had gone to Spain early in the reign of Elizabeth I and later joined the Grand Master Jean de la Vallette in Malta, taking part in the great siege. Following Valette's death he retired to Venice, where he was to die. The griffin's head was the crest of Shelley, and the legend alludes to the story of the war between the Arimaspi and the griffins to steal the gold watched over by the latter. It has been conjectured that this legend refers to the success of Shelley's negotiations respecting the Levant trade.

Provenance: Ex. Papillon Collection, Bonhams, 25 March, 1998 (lot 10).