103212 | ITALY. Dionisio Ratta of Bologna cast bronze Medal.

103212  |  ITALY. Dionisio Ratta of Bologna cast bronze Medal. Dated 1592, and issued circa early-mid 17th century (66mm, 119.98 g, 11h). By Felice Antonio Casoni, fl. 1592-1634.

 

+ DIONYSIVS DE RATA VTR SIC REF ETS INQVISIT PRAELATVS CONS, cloaked bust right // DIVO / PETRO MARTVRI / TEMPLVM EREXIT / ET SEPVLCHRVM / SIBI CONSTRVXIT / SEDENTE / CLEMENTE VIII / PONT MAX / A D MDXCII (he erected the temple of Saint Peter, the martyr, and constructed his sepulcher, with the Pope Clemens VIII reigning in the year of the lord 1592) in nine lines. Edge: Some light marks as made, otherwise plain.

 

Pollard 547 = Kress 476 (also holed at the top). Choice Extremely Fine. Warm red-brown surfaces, with some chasing on the higher points; pierced at the top.

 

Ex Michael Hall Collection, part III (Baldwin's 67, 28 September 2010), lot 2292.

 

Pollard, in Renaissance Medals, writes that "...Dionisio Ratta (d. 1597) of Bologna graduated from Bologna University on 19 March 1572 and became one of the Giudici di Collegio in that year. He held various offices in Rome, such as auditor of the Rota, a sacred court of the Catholic Church. The reverse inscription records the construction of the Church of Saint Peter Martyr in Bologna and the erection of Ratta's tomb. The foundation stone was laid in 1592. Dolfi noted that medals of Ratta were placed in the church's foundations." About the artist of this medal, Felice Antonio Casoni, he writes that "...Casoni was born in Ancona and died in Rome. He was trained in Bologna and was employed there as early as 1592. Casoni is recorded as the architect of conventional buildings in Rome and as a sculptor, wax modeler, and medalist. Six medals are attributed to him, four of which are dated 1592."

 

Upload: 16 June 2025.