Arms of Filiberto Impaling Those of Margaret [reverse] 1502

This bronze medal, crafted by Jean Marende, presents a complex layering of heraldic symbols. At its heart, we see the impaled arms of Filiberto, marked by a cross, dominating those of Margaret, signified by the fleur-de-lis and lion rampant. These symbols, far from being mere decorations, are charged with meaning. They represent power, lineage, and the assertion of dominance. Consider the cross—a universal symbol, adopted by Christianity, yet predating it in various forms across cultures. Here, it embodies not just faith, but authority and control, reminiscent of the way ancient conquerors stamped their emblems upon captured territories. Similarly, the fleur-de-lis, a symbol of French royalty, echoes through time, recurring in diverse contexts, each time slightly altered, yet carrying the weight of its origin. One cannot help but view these emblems as manifestations of a psychological struggle, emblems of ambition, each strike of the die a deliberate act of immortalizing a political narrative. This medal is a testament to how symbols persist, their meanings shifting and evolving, yet always tethered to the collective memory of human experience.