OVERVIEW:  Here’s a c.1830s French brass médaille de chanteur.  After an 1834 law required street singers to have a license to sing (or sell sheet music), these brass medallions were created.  Singers & music sellers had to display these tags to police to show they were officially licensed.  Shaped as a lyre, this is inscribed A. ROUYER No. 81 encircled by CHANTEUR / LOI DU 16 FEVRIER 1834.  All of the decoration is hand-engraved, giving the lettering a charming slightly uneven quality.  

Uncommon & fascinating--after much searching I found only 2 other examples:  one from an auction several years ago and another in a museum.

MARKS:  none

DIMENSIONS: 3 7/8” x 1 1/2”

WEIGHT:  36.83g

CONDITION:  very good 180+ year old condition!  some wear and scratches/marks but nothing serious.

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