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Hat Badge: Woman Choosing Between Youth and Old Age

ca. 1520
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 951
During the Renaissance, hat badges were a common form of personal adornment worn predominantly by wealthy men to assert the wearer’s character. They often depicted religious or mythological subjects, portraits or heraldic devices. However, the unusual subject depicted here, shows an old man, at left, clasping the breast of the woman, at center, while she takes money from his purse with her right hand. Her left hand holds that of the young man, on the right. The inscription reads: AMOUR FAIT MONLT ARGENT FAIT TOUT (Love does much; money does everything).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Hat Badge: Woman Choosing Between Youth and Old Age
  • Date: ca. 1520
  • Culture: probably Flemish (Malines)
  • Medium: Gold, gold filigree and enamel
  • Dimensions: Diam. 5.8 cm.
  • Classifications: Jewelry, Precious Metals and Precious Stones
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.1.1524
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

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