Blazon of Arms [reverse] c. 1532

This small, circular silver medal, created by German Renaissance artist Matthes Gebel in 1532, is a powerful example of a heraldic Blazon. The medal depicts a coat of arms featuring three fantastical, winged creatures, possibly griffins, holding a shield with an intricate design in their talons. This design reflects the growing importance of heraldic imagery during the Renaissance, used to identify families and institutions. This piece, with its minute detail and subtle relief, demonstrates Gebel's artistry in the medium of medallic portraiture.