‘Talismanic medallion’ from princedom period of Sultan Mehmet II to go on sale in London

The bronze medallion, estimated to date back to Sultan Mehmet II’s princely period, will be auctioned on May 21

The portrait of Sultan Mehmet II on a medallion dating back to his princedom will be auctioned by Bonhams Auction House in the U.K. with an estimated sale price of 1.5-2 million pounds ($1.9-2.5 million).

A statement released by Bonhams Auction House stated that the medal dates back to Sultan Mehmet II’s time as a prince.

The bronze portrait is the oldest known portrait of a Muslim leader by a Western artist, the statement said that the medal’s estimated sale price could be between 1.5-2 million pounds ($1.9-2.5 billion).

The artifact, discovered in 2000 in a collection of Italian Renaissance-era medallions, has the words “Great Prince, Great Emir, Sultan Mehmet Efendi” written in Latin on the edges.

“The most interesting thing is that there is no design or inscription on the back of the medallion. It is portable and has a smooth hollow on the top. It is thought to be a very personal and important item of the Sultan, and the medallion was worn as a talisman,” the statement said.

It was also noted that there is no signature or mark of the artist who made the medallion.

Oliver White, Bonhams Director of Islamic and Indian Art, stated that there is no significant material evidence of Mehmet II regarding the period in which the artifact dates.

White emphasized that the medallion is a critical discovery in this respect, saying: “It is the only known medallion showing Mehmet II as a young man before the conquest of Istanbul. It is thought to have been worn by the Sultan as a personal talisman.”

The bronze medallion, estimated to date back to Sultan Mehmet II’s princely period, will be auctioned on May 21.

Source: Newsroom