Sperandio of Mantua; Antonio Sarzgnella De'Manfredi; of Faenza; diplomat; ca. 1463; bronze; 2 5/8 in. x 1 13/16 in. (6.7 cm. x 4.6 cm.); The 'plaquette portrait' (the medal format seen here) was unique to the fifteenth-century court of the Este family in Ferrara. The production of 'plaquette portraits' included casting and hand carving the portrait medal into an oblong shape. The majority of plaquettes that follow this format; including this example of diplomat Antonio Sarzanella de' Manfredi of the Este Court by Sperandio; are mostly comprised of copper. This composition allows the medal to be malleable enough to carve. Circular medals depicting de'Manfredi have larger concentrations of zinc; creating a harder brass product.