French Art Nouveau and Art Deco medals: 1890-1940
The many national and world fairs that took place in Paris over this period greatly benefited French medallists. They were able to show their finest work, but also to make the prize medals and official commemorative medals. After the First World War the languid, curvilinear style of Art Nouveau was replaced by the more modern, hard-edged manner of Art Deco.
'Head of Orpheus', medal
'Head of Orpheus'
Medal (obverse view)
Marie Alexandre Lucien Coudray (1864-1932)
France (Paris)
1899
Bronze, struck
Museum no. A.21-1914
Given by Mr H.C. Marillier
Issued by the Paris Mint as part of a series by celebrated medallists, this medal was offered for sale at the International Exhibition of 1900. Over 2500 were sold.
View the reverse of this medal
'French Committee of Exhibitions', medal
'French Committee of Exhibitions'
Medal (obverse view)
Pierre Turin (1891-1968)
France (Paris)
About 1930-5
Bronze, struck
Museum no. A.25-1980
Given by Professor and Mrs J. Hull Grundy
In this powerful design Turin's imagery combines the god Mercury, perhaps as an allegory of eloquence and reason, and a cogged wheel representing the modern machine age.
View the reverse of this medal
'Theatre', medal
'Theatre'
Medal (obverse view)
Maurice Delannoy (1885-1972)
France (Paris)
1930
Bronze, struck
Museum no. A.23-1978
Given by Mrs J. Hull Grundy
Delannoy presents the genius of Theatre as a Neo-classical head surmounted by a winged figure of Love, the principal inspiration behind all theatre. He is flanked by female personifications of historic drama, lyric drama, dance, tragedy and comedy.
View the reverse of this medal
'French Electricity and Gas', medal
'French Electricity and Gas'
Medal (obverse view)
Henry Dropsy (1885-1969)
France (Paris)
About 1928
Bronze, struck and silvered
Museum no. A.69-1980
Given by Professor and Mrs J. Hull Grundy
Medal makers have always taken inspiration from mythological sources. The muscular style of Art Deco medals derived from Neo-classical sculpture
Inscribed 'ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE ET GAZ DE FRANCE'
View the reverse of this medal
Related images from the collections
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