Does anyone know what this old medallion might be?

[Velorum]

Ive nearly finished clearing out my cupboards as part of the 'declutter your life' drive and came across a big bag of old coins. I found them years ago when I cleared out my deceased mothers house in Newcastle. Some of the coins such as the silver Victorian crowns are worth a few bob and I have put all of them on eBay.

In amongst everything I found this medallion. It appears to be French - I presume it came from the part of my family that emigrated to France in the early 1900's. I know that my mother used to go and visit them in the 1960's.

Its 5cm across.

Not that I'm expecting hidden treasure - more curious then anything else.

Any ideas?


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[ryanb741]

This may be useful;

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Baudichon

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[Velorum]

Thanks - I had presumed that it was the name of the person who received it!

[Saint-Just]

No it’s a signature so it’s the sculptor.
This medal was given by a city council member whose name appears in the cartouche. It could be after a (civil) wedding.
As a side note, for a wedding to be legal in France it must be celebrated at the town hall (mairie). Only after can the optional religious ceremony be celebrated.
That also means that tracing your family history starts there.

[M4tt]

I'm pretty sure that the bint with the palm is meant to be Nike, goddess of speed and peace after victory, as seen on more than a few Olympic medals and a couple of shoes. As such, I suspect it may be a sporting medal.

[Saint-Just]

Found this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ville-de-...-127639-2357-0

The seller has no idea of what it is but it is still interesting:
- Baudichon’s design has obviously been used several times
- I was intrigued by the name of the civil servant instead of that of the town. This confirms the unusual aspect for me, as the eBay one is clearly from Sotteville.

In fact, there are a good few more: https://www.site-annonce.fr/r/Detail...890a1kbco00000

[alfat33]

Is the image of the goddess Demeter? Something to do with a harvest ceremony?

Edit. I think M4tt is probably right (about Nike, not about using the word ‘bint’)

[hogthrob]

...and another: https://www.lotsearch.net/lot/medail...rice&order=ASC

"Medal of Baudichon, offered by Pierre Bordes, governor. A woman seated and holding a palm in front of a landscape; signature RENÉ BAUDICHON Branches in saltire, inscribed cartouche OFFERED BY / Mr PIERRE BORDES / GOUVERNEUR GENERAL / DE L'ALGERIE SUP R Vermeil 49.5 mm 61.15 g 12 h Pierre Bordes was Governor General of Algeria from November 1927 to October 1930. Medal made by Adrien Chobillon (AXC in a diamond), publisher installed rue Croix des Petits-Champs in Paris, in vermeil (gold silver"

[SeanST150]

Is the image of the goddess Demeter? Something to do with a harvest ceremony?

Edit. I think M4tt is probably right (about Nike, not about using the word ‘bint’)

I thought Nike had wings? I'm struggling to see wings in that medal.

[alfat33]

I thought Nike had wings? I'm struggling to see wings in that medal.

That was my thought at first, but Nike also carries a palm branch which would fit the medallion. Demeter carries a sheaf of corn and that doesn’t look quite right.

I’m not at sure what it’s for. It doesn’t seem like a sports medal. If it is Nike perhaps it represents victory in something else rather than a sports event. I think the French are pretty keen on Nike. The sculpture in the Louvre is spectacular.

[SeanST150]

That was my thought at first, but Nike also carries a palm branch which would fit the medallion. Demeter carries a sheaf of corn and that doesn’t look quite right.

I’m not at sure what it’s for. It doesn’t seem like a sports medal. If it is Nike perhaps it represents victory in something else rather than a sports event. I think the French are pretty keen on Nike. The sculpture in the Louvre is spectacular.

Agree completely, that is one of my absolute favourite sculptures. I love how it stands atop the stairs.

[Saint-Just]

That was my thought at first, but Nike also carries a palm branch which would fit the medallion. Demeter carries a sheaf of corn and that doesn’t look quite right.

Corn was imported to Europe from America in the 16th century so I don’t think Demeter carried a cob before the Renaissance.
Nike, on the other hand, does have wings.

The sculpture is still the front of a medal distributed today to benevolent volunteers after years of service, when nominated by their peers or those who benefited from their charity work: http://medaille-anpdsb.over-blog.com...-60772556.html

[Mr Curta]

I like the way that she's subtly giving the die maker the bird.

[stefmcd]

I know nothing about such things.
Quite a classy looking piece. Surely must have a decent value.

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