c. 1830, Matched Set of 4 French Commemorative Ceramic Uniface Medallion Plaques, (2) George Washington being ECCELSTON and COMITIA AMERICANA; (1) King Louis XVIII (1755-1824) King of France from 1814 to 1824); (1) King Louis Philippe I (1773-1850) King of the French from 1830 to 1848); French, Custom Display Framed, Uncirculated.
Dated circa 1830, being Commemorative of Louis Philippe I, who became King of France in that year. Framed for display to overall 13.75” x 11” having two corner edge chips at top right and bottom left. The two George Washington Medallions measure: ECCELSTON, 75 mm (about 2.85”) and the COMITIA AMERICANA, 2.5” (about 2.5”) in diameter. The (2) French Kings include: Louis Philippe I of France measures about 65 mm (about 2.5”), and King Louis XVIII of France, measures 65 mm (about 2.5”). Each of the four medallions is held within their original green felt lined perfectly sized insets, custom presented within their period gold-gilt decorative wooden frame and displayed under glass. Each white ceramic medallion is well struck having no friction or circulation. The Obverse: “COMITIA AMERICANA GEORGIO WASHINGTON SVPREMO DVCI EXERCITVVM ADSERTORI LIBERTATIS [at neck truncation] DU VIVIER / PARIS . F.”.
The ECCELSTON medal of George Washington, is regarded as one of the most important medals honoring America’s first president. It was created in 1805, six years after Washington’s death, portraying Washington as a military leader dressed in metal armor, a costume from the imagination of British artist Thomas Cobb (active 1804-1827). The medal is named for Daniel Belteshazzar Plantagenet ECCELSTON (ca. 1745-1816), a British merchant and insurance broker who lived in Lancaster, England who commissioned the original (larger size) medals to be made. We have not previously encountered or offered complete set of these four commemorative French Portrait medallions, and are pleased to find them housed in their original felt lined display frame. Certainly very rare as such and George Washington medal collectors no doubt lack these two historic medals in this material and format. (4 items) |