Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, 1417-1468, Lord of Rimini and Fano [obverse]

Matteo de' Pasti

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture is a bas-relief portrait of a man in profile view facing left. The subject has straight cropped hair with wavy texture, a tilted head, smooth facial features, a prominent neck with a decorative collar. The material appears to be dark bronze or metal with an aged patina. The sculpture has polished and matte areas to highlight details. There is engraved text encircling the border of the medallion. A small hole near the top suggests it was designed to be hung or worn.