Salamander in Flames [reverse] 1515 - 1518

Giovanni Maria Pomedelli's "Salamander in Flames" is a 16th century bronze medal, depicting a salamander, a mythical creature associated with fire and water, in an ornate vase. The salamander's symbolic resistance to fire alludes to the wearer's ability to withstand adversity and the fire of passion, while its association with water suggests purity and cleansing. The medal's small size and intricate detail suggest a personal piece intended for private contemplation, rather than public display, highlighting the artistic sensibilities of the Renaissance era.