Phillip II of Spain

Phillip II of Spain, the Spanish conquest of America [c. 1588], by Jacopo Nizolla da Trezzo, signed Jac Trici F, bust of Philip II right, PHILIPPVS II DG HISP REX, rev., two hands release globe from bands, SIC ERAT IN FATIS, 30.5 mm. (MI 148/118, see footnote; Attwood 95; Pollard, Bargello III, 726; vL I, 387/2; Toderi-Vannel 113; Börner 775; Cuesta 106, 2). A sharp early cast of superb quality, extremely fine and rare.

On account of a larger medal of similar design that was made in Holland as a satirical statement, this smaller medal was treated in the same way. Attwood comments on the attribution to the defeat of the Spanish Armada as a "common but hardly plausible theory". At the time of its purchase by Foley, the medal was still associated with the Spanish Armada. Jacopo Nizolla da Trezzo (1515 / 1519-1589), sculptor, architect, medallist and gem cutter to Cosimo III de Medici, who worked in the Netherlands and Spain.

Provenance: Bt. Morton & Eden, 18 April, 2002 (lot 650). The first auction held by this now well-established company.