The Epistolary Seal of Lorenzo the Magnificent

Lorenzo de’ Medici’s personal seal that recalls the myth of brute force overcome by love

This seal, depicting ERAKLES won by EROS, was used by the Commune of Florence from 1281 and affixed to all documents of an epistolary nature that left the Chancellery.

It was guarded by two monks, known as the ‘friars of the seal’, who lived in the palace with the Lords; in 1473 this task was given to Bartolomeo Scala.

The subject of this seal, which was also personally used by Lorenzo de’ Medici (1449 – 1492), as shown by the ex gemmis “LAV. R. MED”, recalls the myth of strength overcome by love; “love” being understood as “concordia civium” (concord of citizens) and demonstrates the Magnifico’s desire to make his own the symbols and images taken from classical mythology, which were linked to the Florentine public iconographic tradition.

The seal was made by Penko Bottega Orafa Artigiana in Florence using the lost-wax casting technique, handmade and engraved with a burin, in keeping with the oldest Florentine goldsmith’s tradition.