The Malatesta Elephant in a Meadow [reverse] c. 1453 - 1455

Curator: Ah, look at this. It’s a bronze medal created by Matteo de' Pasti, dating back to around 1453-1455. It's titled "The Malatesta Elephant in a Meadow [reverse]". Quite the curious subject for a Renaissance medal, wouldn't you say? Editor: Curious indeed! My first thought is, what a sweet, melancholy creature. The texture of the bronze makes him look worn and wise, like he’s carrying centuries of secrets. And yet, the setting feels almost fairytale-like with its depiction of a flowery meadow. Curator: The choice of the elephant is rather strategic. It refers to Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, a lord of Rimini, who adopted the elephant as his emblem. The imagery played into Malatesta's self-fashioned image as a powerful, almost invincible leader. He knew the potent political imagery. Editor: Oh, I love that! A medieval ruler choosing the elephant. Talk about branding! I wonder if he was aware of what that choice projected? He wasn’t just picking any old animal. Elephants signify so much - wisdom, memory, strength… it gives a mythic weight to his leadership, don’t you think? And that pose; a strong but somehow gentle presence in the world, at least from my perspective. Curator: Absolutely. There was always some strategic communication at play. It projects an image of cultivated power, and exotic tastes all in one tiny portable object. In its historical context, the medals often functioned as keepsakes, distributed to allies and admirers of Malatesta as signs of his grandeur and taste. The medals were definitely ways to solidify his power and status. Editor: It's amazing how such a small object can hold such potent ideas. When you look at the fine relief carving there's that immediate contrast with the medal's material. I guess what lingers is the fact of its sheer age...to hold a little bronze portrait of power in your hands – a ruler’s aspirations rendered solid. Very evocative. Curator: Yes, each one has its own unique biography woven into a specific historical moment. Editor: Exactly, something really worth holding and thinking about.