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Table of Contents > Revolutionary War > Lot 99 |
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Browse the Auction in Groups of 25 Lots: |
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Lot Number: 99
Click for a Printable PageSign-in to Bid or Register to Bid Estimate Range: $3,000 - $4,000 |
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1777 Benjamin Franklin Terra Cotta Medallion By “Nini” Variety Franklin Wearing His American Beaver Fur Hat |
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  Click an Image to Enlarge It |
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1777-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Benjamin Franklin Portrait Terra Cotta Medallion Plaque, shown wearing his popular American Beaver Fur Hat, by Jean-Baptiste Nini, Extremely Fine or better. An original large size 4.5” diameter (113 mm) high-relief Bust Portrait Medallion of Benjamin Franklin in Terra Cotta (a fired ceramic clay). Produced in France by sculptor, Jean-Baptiste Nini during the height of Franklin’s popularity with the French nation. Nini made a small variety of Franklin portrait medallions in Terra Cotta for sale in both France and America. This variety shows Franklin wearing his famous Beaver Fur Hat with the inscription, “B. Franklin - Americain.” In the medallion, Nini has signed and dated in the text located on the truncation of Franklin’s bust with “NINI - 1777”. The 2005 John Ford Jr. Collection Auction Sale contained two similar Terra Cotta Plaques by Nini. One in very choice condition sold for $5,750 and one in lower quality sold for $3,220. This current “Nini” Medallion has a sharply detailed appearance and eye appeal for display. There are no nicks or marks on the outer rim edge, general expected signs of age and some deeper tone show this example was displayed. The top rim has a small hole created for a metal ring to be attached to hang as a wall display as made. A nice example of this historic, contemporarily produced, 1777 dated Revolutionary War period French tribute to Benjamin Franklin who was in France as America’s foremost ambassador and statesman to the King and his court.It is believed that several hundred of the Franklin Nini's were shipped to America in 1779, but were lost at sea in a shipwreck. Few medallions reached the U.S. until the last quarter of the 19th century. See Storelli, A., Jean-Baptiste Nini: Sa Vie--Son Oeuvre 1717-1786 (Impr. A. Mame et fils, 1896), LXI. |
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Lot Number: 99
Click for a Printable Page Sign-in to Bid or Register to Bid |
Estimate Range: $3,000 - $4,000 |
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Early American History Auctions, Inc. 1520 Commerce St., # 312 • Winchester, VA 22601 Phone: 858 • 759 • 3290 Email: Auctions@EarlyAmerican.com |
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