Anne de Montmorency, 1493-1567, Constable of France 1538 [obverse] c. 16th century

This bronze medal of Anne de Montmorency, Constable of France, was made anonymously in the 16th century. The medal is a cast object, and it is a testament to the enduring quality of bronze as a medium. Notice the crispness of the portrait in profile, and the surrounding inscription. This was likely achieved through the lost wax process, involving an original model, a mold, and molten metal poured in to make the final form. Consider the context of its creation: medals like this were not just art objects but tools of power and propaganda. They were commissioned by the elite, like Montmorency, to broadcast their status and accomplishments. The bronze material itself, though relatively common, carried connotations of permanence and value. Craftsmanship, therefore, wasn't just about aesthetics; it was integral to the communication of social standing and political might. The medal’s survival reminds us that even seemingly small, decorative objects can offer profound insights into the dynamics of labor, politics, and consumption of their time.