Italian, second half 16th century

Miniature wax portrait reliefs set into an enameled gold and glazed frames were popular amongst 16th-century aristocrats and were prized for their remarkable intricacy. The art of modeling small wax portrait reliefs was mastered at the court of Rudolf II in late 16th-century Prague. One of the most accomplished portraitists in this medium was the Italian medalist Antonio Abondio (1538-1596), who the Emperor employed exclusively, and who produced various portrait medals, plaquettes and wax reliefs representing European royalty. The maker of the present pendant may well have been inspired by Abondio’s work, examples of which are now preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and other major collections.