Medal
1900 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This medal, for the Universal International Exhibition held in Paris in 1900, was awarded to the Board of Education [the parent body of the V&A] for its contribution to the exhibition. Chaplain, who designed and modelled it, was one of the most highly regarded medallists of his generation, but the composition is rather awkward. On one side the head of France, wearing a Cap of Liberty grows out of the roots of an oak tree, suggesting commemoration. On the other winged Victory, bearing a palm branch and laurel wreath [symbolic rewards for those who won prizes in the exhibition] bears a worker carrying a torch on her back. The exhibition buildings, some of which survive to this day, are visible in the background.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Struck bronze |
| Brief description | Medal, 1900 Universal Exhibition, Paris, bronze by Jules-Clément Chaplain, French, 1900 |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE / EXPOSITION.UNIVERSELLE.INTERNATIONALE.1900/BOARD OF EDUCATION A SOUTH KENSINGTON
|
| Production | Medal for the Universal Exhibition, Paris, 1900. Signed and dated |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This medal, for the Universal International Exhibition held in Paris in 1900, was awarded to the Board of Education [the parent body of the V&A] for its contribution to the exhibition. Chaplain, who designed and modelled it, was one of the most highly regarded medallists of his generation, but the composition is rather awkward. On one side the head of France, wearing a Cap of Liberty grows out of the roots of an oak tree, suggesting commemoration. On the other winged Victory, bearing a palm branch and laurel wreath [symbolic rewards for those who won prizes in the exhibition] bears a worker carrying a torch on her back. The exhibition buildings, some of which survive to this day, are visible in the background. |
| Associated object | 638-1902 (Version) |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 638A-1902 |
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| Record created | August 27, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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