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Gaming piece

WB.247     about 1530–40 • Boxwood • medallion

Inscribed ‘Duke William’. Like 3, this is from a set of gaming pieces with portraits of contemporary rulers. Raised borders protect the portrait when in use.

Curator's Description

Circular medallion; gaming piece; boxwood; middle-aged man (Wilhalm Hertzo?) in profile to left; wears broad-brimmed flat hat; long straight hair cut across forehead; fur tippet and chain; moulded edge; modern back; inscribed.

This object was collected by Anselm von Rothschild and bequeathed to the British Museum by Ferdinand Anselm Rothschild.

Made In

Germany
Augsburg ?
Augsburg (?)

What is it?

medallion

Made Of

boxwood

Techniques

carved

Subjects

Wilhalm, Hertzo

How big is it?

5.4 cm wide, 5.9 cm high, 1 cm deep, and it weighs 10g

Where is it?

London / The British Museum / Room 2A / Case 7f 5

Floor plan 2 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 6c 6d 6e 6f 6g 6h 7a 7b 7c 7d 7e 7f 7g 7h 7i 7j Entrance

Detailed Curatorial Notes

Provenance: Probably Baron Anselm von Rothschild, Vienna, by 1866 ( probably cat no. 62).

Similar insciption on back to Trusted cat.193, attributed to circle of Hans Kels in Augsburg.

Bibliography

  • Charles Hercules Read, 'The Waddesdon Bequest: Catalogue of the Works of Art bequeathed to the British Museum by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild, M.P., 1898', London, 1902, no. 247
  • O.M. Dalton, 'The Waddesdon Bequest', 2nd edn (rev), British Museum, London, 1927, no.247.

    • References

    1. Read 1902: Read, Charles Hercules, The Waddesdon Bequest. Catalogue of the Works of Art Bequeathed to the British Museum by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild, M.P., 1898, London, BMP, 1902
    2. Dalton 1927: Dalton, Ormonde Maddock, The Waddesdon Bequest : jewels, plate, and other works of art bequeathed by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild., London, BMP, 1927

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