File:Portrait_medal_of_Cecilia_Gonzaga_(obverse);_Innocence_and_a_Unicorn_in_a_Moonlit_Landscape_(reverse)_MET_DP-1241-015_(cropped).jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

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medallion

Also known as medal

thumb|Obverse of medal distributed by Cecilia Gonzaga's family to political allies, a common practice in [[Renaissance Europe. Designed by Pisanello in 1448.]] thumb|Reverse of the same medal, this copy with a suspension hole added later (inside a crescent moon in the design). thumb|Medal depicting Herbert Hoover|Herbert C. Hoover by Devreese Godefroi

AI overview

A medallion is a small, flat piece of metal, typically circular, that is often designed by artists and distributed as a gift or commemorative object, as exemplified by Renaissance medals created by artists like Pisanello. Medallions matter because they served important social and political functions—such as building alliances—and represent significant artistic achievements, with some becoming valuable historical artifacts and examples of fine craftsmanship.

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Wikidata facts

Image: Medals.jpg

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Commons category: Medals
Unicode character: 🏅

Sources (5)

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~26 min read

Article

14 sections

Contents

Main types
Etymology
Features
History
Military medals and decorations
Table medals and other large forms
Fraternal jewels
Different metals
Medals as art
See also
Notes
References
Further reading
External links

A medal or medallion is a small portable artistic object, a thin disc, normally of metal, carrying a design, usually on both sides. They typically have a commemorative purpose of some kind, and many are presented as awards. They may be intended to be worn, suspended from clothing or jewellery in some way, although this has not always been the case. They may be struck like a coin by dies or die-cast in a mould.