Cameo of King Charles VIII of France (1470-1498)
Unknown Artist
c. 1494
Medium
agate
Dimensions
3.4 × 2.4 × 0.4 cm
Classification
Glyptic
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of the George Kress Foundation in memory of William Mathewson Milliken
Accession Number
1978.58
About this artwork
This jade-green agate cameo represents King Charles VIII in bust profile wearing the royal crown and the collar of the Order of St. Michael. The cameo was probably inspired by a gold medal presented to Charles by the City of Lyon during a visit in 1494 and was probably made to commemorate the event. It was perhaps a memento belonging to one of the town's nobles.