Medal
1917 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This bronze medal was made by Charles Philippe Germain Aristide Pillet in France, 1917. This medal honours those in charge of the defence of Verdum during 1916, the main year of fighting. Inscribed with General Nivelle's famous phrase 'on ne passe pas' (They shall no pass), it is a strident piece of French flag waving.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | France and Joan of Arc defending Verdun / generals Pétain, Nivelle and de Castlenau, struck bronze, By Charles Pillet, French, 20th century, 1916. |
| Physical description | Obv., two female figures, one personifying France, the other, armed with a huge sword, possibly the city of Verdum or the French army, stand shoulder to shoulder on a rocky rampart in front of the city. The prussian eagle, crowned and armed, struggles to gain a hold below them. Beside the eagle are the arms of Verdun and the French Republic joined by branches of ivy, symbol of fidelity and attachment. Rev., a laurel wreath sypports medallion portraits of generals Pétain, Nivelle and de Castlenau. From one of the laurel branches hang the crosses of the Légion d'honneur and de Guerre. The edge has the incuse cornucopia of Paris Mint mark and BRONZE. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This bronze medal was made by Charles Philippe Germain Aristide Pillet in France, 1917. This medal honours those in charge of the defence of Verdum during 1916, the main year of fighting. Inscribed with General Nivelle's famous phrase 'on ne passe pas' (They shall no pass), it is a strident piece of French flag waving. |
| Bibliographic reference | Cullen, Lucy, Fisher, Wendy and Jopek, Norbert, 'One by One': European Commemorative Medals for the Great War 1914-1918, London : Victoria & Albert Museum, 1998
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.97-1920 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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