Fame Seated on the Celestial Globe [reverse] 1541

This small bronze roundel, depicting Fame seated on the Celestial Globe, was created by Andrea Spinelli in the 16th century. The material itself, bronze, is significant. This wasn't precious gold or silver, but a utilitarian alloy often used for tools, weapons, and everyday objects. To create this medal, Spinelli would have likely used a lost-wax casting process, a technique demanding skill and precision. The design was first modeled in wax, then encased in clay to create a mold. Molten bronze was poured in, burning away the wax and leaving a solid metal casting. The crisp details of the figure, the globe with its delicate stars, and the surrounding inscription speak to the artist's mastery of this process. The work involved in each stage – the modeling, the casting, and the finishing – highlights the value placed on skilled labor in the Renaissance. It reminds us that even small-scale objects like this one required considerable time and expertise. This medal bridges the gap between art and craft, illustrating how materials and making processes are central to understanding an object's cultural and social significance.