Medal 1536

This medal was made in the 16th century by Hans Reinhart the Elder from metal, most likely silver. The production of medals like this involved a combination of skills – from metallurgy to sculpting in miniature. This one was probably made by casting, with the image then refined by chasing, which involves carefully hammering the surface to create the details. Consider the sheer labor involved in making such a detailed object at this scale. It's a testament to the immense skill and time commitment that went into its creation. The value of the medal lies not only in the preciousness of the material but also in the artistry of the making. Looking closely at the tooling marks left by the chasing process, it reminds us that even seemingly "minor" art forms like medals can embody a high degree of craft and cultural significance, blurring the lines between art and skilled work.