Bartolomeo Pendaglia

Bartolomeo Pendaglia, of Ferrara, rich merchant, knighted by Emperor Federick III in 1452. Died before 1462.

The most prolific medallist of the 15th Century (48 medals), lived mostly in Ferrara; 5 years in Venice and 10 years in Bologna. Also worked in Milano, Faenza and Padova.

Obverse: · BARTHOLOMAEVS · PENDAGLIA · INSIGNE · LIBERALITATIS · ET · MVNIFICENTIAE · EXEMP · V · Bust facing left, elderly, with short hair, wearing flat-topped hat (mortier) and robe with stiff expanding collar with pleated front.

Reverse: · CAESARIANA / LIBERALITAS · Along bottom: · OPVS · SPERANDEI ·
Scene: Nude male figure (possibly Frederick III); scarf around shoulders, holding globe (or possibly large pearl) in right hand, spear in left; left foot on a bag from which money flows.

Likely cast around 1462 and may be a memorial piece. The design and motto of the reverse refers to the 1452 knighting by the Emperor.

Pendaglia was one of the wealthiest men in Ferrara. When the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III visited Ferrara in 1434 he attended the wedding of Pendaglia and Marcherita Costabili giving her a large pearl and him a knighthood. The reverse type draws on this event and the Liberalitas Augusti type in Roman coinage.