BRONZE Medallion ZETTLER Medal WORLD'S FAIR Chicago DECO 1933 RESEARCH INDUSTRY.

Measures: Diameter: 7.3 cm (2 7/8 inches)

Marks/Signatures: Research - Industry / A Century of Progress - International Exposition Chicago 1933

Medium: Bronze

Maker: Emil Robert Zettler, American

original and intact hard to find official art deco machine age american bronze medal of the "century of progress" exposition 1933-34, chicago, il. the obverse features a full male figure, nude with flowing geometric loin-cloth, with outspread arms and legs astride two pillars. under the right foot is stamped "1933, and under the left foot, "1833". above the right hand is a small graph design, and below it is the vertical text "industry", with a microscopic "erz" beneath. on the left side of the figure, a small branch of leaves rests above the hand and the text "research" with copyright symbol extends vertically below. on the reverse side is a relief map of the exposition grounds and lake, with a directional north-facing arrow directly above, and diminutive vertical text "zettler" at the left edge of the inner circle. around the edge in the outer circle, text surrounding the image area reads, "a-century-of-progress-international-exposition-chicago-1933-". the century of progress exposition was a world's fair venture held over 400 acres of public park space along the shore of lake michigan on chicago's southside, as a showcase of scientific and industrial progress. it included a dozen major palaces and 200 other buildings. the architecture was "ultramodern" and a complete departure from the past, following no pattern of former expositions. the official medals struck on the grounds were designed by emil robert zettler, sculptor and head of the industrial art section of chicago's art institute. he obtained a design patent for his madallic design in june of 1933. dies were produced by medallic art co. in new york city, but contract to strike the medals was awarded to crow, a metalworking firm in chicago.