Peace Setting Fire to a Pile of Arms [reverse] 1534

This bronze medal, "Peace Setting Fire to a Pile of Arms," was created by Francesco dal Prato in the 16th century. The medal’s form is simple, yet it speaks volumes about the period’s artistry and the prevailing hope for peace. The making of medals like these involved the skilled hands of a goldsmith or silversmith, employing techniques like casting and chasing to achieve the crisp details you see here. Bronze, as a material, lent itself well to the reproduction of intricate designs. Molten metal was poured into carefully prepared molds, allowed to cool, and then meticulously finished by hand. The result is an object with a satisfying heft, reflective of the labor invested in its creation. This medal offers us a tangible connection to the social and political aspirations of the Renaissance, and it underscores how artisanal skill was prized in this period. It serves as a reminder that even small objects can carry profound cultural significance.