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A mid-16th century uniface lead relief/medal, showing a bust of an unknown woman, by Alfonso Ruspagiari: CM.269-1968

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An image of Italy
Current Location: Gallery 6 (Upper Marlay)

Titles

A mid-16th century uniface lead relief/medal, showing a bust of an unknown woman, by Alfonso Ruspagiari

Maker(s)

Maker: Ruspagiari, Alfonso da Tomaso

Entities

Categories

Description

This is one of the most alluring and enigmatic reliefs of the period. The truncated bust of the woman, loosely draped in a veil, looks directly at the face intruding from the edge of the frame. This specimen comes from the collection of Dr John Sharp, archbishop of York (1645-1714), and carries the quite erroneous identification of the sitter as Anne Boleyn, wife of Henry VIII

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bought (1968)

Dating

Production date: circa AD 1550

Components of the work

Object composed of lead Diameter 40.93 mm Weight 62.5 g

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.269-1968
Primary reference Number: 227231

Audit data

Created: Friday 14 June 2019 Updated: Wednesday 18 June 2025

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Coins and Medals

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The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "A mid-16th century uniface lead relief/medal, showing a bust of an unknown woman, by Alfonso Ruspagiari" Web page available at: https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/227231 Accessed: 2025-12-05 14:55:30

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{{cite web|url=https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/227231 |title=A mid-16th century uniface lead relief/medal, showing a bust of an unknown woman, by Alfonso Ruspagiari |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 14:55:30|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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