Wymmer von Wesel of Cologne thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Wymmer von Wesel of Cologne

Medal
ca. 1542 (designed), 19th century (cast)
Artist/Maker

This copper alloy medal is designed by Friedrich Hagenauer (active 1525-1544) in Germany, in 1542. The present medal is probably a 19th century cast.

The medal is uniface and depicts the bust of Wymmek van Wesel (Werner van Wesel) facing right, clean shaven and wearing a low hat. An inscription states that the sitter was 35 years old.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleWymmer von Wesel of Cologne (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Copper alloy
Brief description
Medal, copper alloy, Wymmer von Wesel of Cologne, by a design of Friedrich Hagenauer from ca. 1520, this version probably a 19th century cast
Physical description
This medal is uniface and depicts the bust of Wymmek van Wesel (Werner van Wesel) facing right, clean shaven and wearing a low hat. An inscription states that the sitter was 35 years old.

Copper 67%, zinc 11.6%, tin 5.3%. High levels of lead along with nickel and iron also present.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 56mm
  • Weight: 42.6g
Marks and inscriptions
'WYMMER VAN WESEL GESTALT. DA ER WAS XXXV IAER ALT.' (German; Obverse)
Translation
Wymmer von wesel's appeareance when he was 35 years old.
Object history
Bought in 1860 for 13s 6d.
Historical context
The present medal is probably a 19th century cast. It differs from the version in Habich (which is dated 1542) in that it has a border, and is uniface. The high lead content found in it appears to confirm this.
Production
possibly a 19th century cast
Subjects depicted
Summary
This copper alloy medal is designed by Friedrich Hagenauer (active 1525-1544) in Germany, in 1542. The present medal is probably a 19th century cast.

The medal is uniface and depicts the bust of Wymmek van Wesel (Werner van Wesel) facing right, clean shaven and wearing a low hat. An inscription states that the sitter was 35 years old.
Bibliographic references
  • Trusted, Marjorie. German Renaissance Medals. Victoria & Albert Museum, 1990. 128p., ill. ISBN 1851770135.
  • Inventory of Art Objects Acquired in the Year 1860. In: Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, Arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol I. London: Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868, p. 26
Collection
Accession number
6760-1860

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Record createdFebruary 27, 2004
Record URL
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