The Trigram IHS in a Flaming Halo [reverse] c. 1444 - 1450

This is a bronze medal crafted by Antonio Marescotti, sometime between the late 14th and early 16th centuries. The medal features the trigram IHS, a Christogram symbolizing Jesus's name, encircled by a halo of flames. Consider the historical backdrop: Marescotti lived during the late Medieval and early Renaissance periods, times of both religious fervor and intellectual awakening. The emblem reflects the intense religious devotion of the era, yet also hints at the burgeoning humanism that questioned established norms. The IHS symbol, popularized by Saint Bernardino of Siena, was used to promote religious reform. Here, encased in flames, it evokes both divine love and the purification of faith. What does it mean to stake your identity so firmly in religious belief? The medal invites us to consider the intersection of faith, identity, and social change. It's a personal object imbued with the fervor of a society in transformation.