SAVERIO MANETTI, PHYSICIAN AND BOTANIST

WEBER, Giovanni Zanobio: Italy, 1777, Bronze (cast), 74 mm
Obv: Bust of Manetti (r)    XAVERIUS. MANETTI. MED. ET. BOT. FLOR. AET. LIV
Rev: Aesculapius holding arm of seminude woman. Behind is Mercury holding a plant.
Signed:  I.Z.V.
Cast and chased
Ref: Vannel and Toderi 270/425; Brett. 737;  Weiss BW421

Saverio Manetti (1723-1785) was born in Florence and was a prominent physician and botanist. Among other accomplishments, he discovered a genus of climbing plants which were named after him (Manettia), originating in Central America. Greenhouse roses are often propagated on Manetti stocks.

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