Patriarche gives both a realistic and idealistic representation of farm work. A young man wearing simple clothes and wooden clogs sows seeds among the furrows of a plowed field, while another farmer plows the field in the distance. The man is guided by a beautiful young woman in classical dress who hovers behind him, representing the spirit of Agriculture or perhaps specifically Ceres, the Greek goddess of agriculture. She suggests something grand or mythic about farm work, which dignifies his labor. This medal was awarded by the Agriculture Society of the Department of Indre, a region in central France named for the river that runs through it. Patriarche designed this medal c. 1908, and this specimen was awarded in 1935.

 

Louis Patriarche attended the École des Beaux-Arts, trained with the master medalist Charles Vernon, and was active as a medalist and sculptor.  Scarce.

 

This medal will appeal to collectors interested in the history of work, farming, and agriculture.

 

Extremely fine. Nice even yellowish brown patina. See pictures.

 

Artist: Louis Patriarche (1872-1955)

Title: Sower, Agriculture Award, awarded 1935 (c. 1908)

Material: bronze

Size: 42 mm

Weight: 40 gr

Inscriptions:

Obverse: signed PATRIARCHE

Reverse: SOCIÉTÉ D’AGRICULTURE DU DÉPARTT DE L’INDRE/ FONDÉE LE 20 AVRIL 1801

Edge: Triangle

Mint: Société Elba

Reference: Leonard Forrer, Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, vol. 4, p. 429

 

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In the coming weeks I will be listing many Art Nouveau and Art Deco medals and plaquettes, from France, Belgium and Austria, which I have collected over the past twenty years. They are by the leading medalists of the period, and many are rare.