Bust of Vendôme to right with love-locks falling on right shoulder, wearing armour with lion’s head shoulder-plate and sash, stippled background, 63 x 50mm Mazerolle 783; Trésor Numismatique I, 67, 4 – both for a round medal with legend).
 
Good very fine with pleasant patination. 
 
Set into a seemingly contemporary lozenge-shaped wooden mount with ornamental dark-wood frame – this perhaps once set into a piece of furniture
 
Note    César de Vendôme was the son of Henry IV of France and his mistress Gabrielle d'Estrées.  Legitimized in 1595, he married Françoise de Lorraine in 1608 - the couple had three children. He and his brother Alexandre, the Chevalier de Vendôme, were imprisoned in 1626. He was released in 1630 and exiled to Holland, returning to France in 1632, where he took part in the cabale des Importants against Cardinal Mazarin.  He was exiled again, this time to England, he did not return until 1642. In 1651, he was appointed Admiral of France and, in 1655, Grand Master of Navigation