FRANCE. François-Marie Arouet (Voltaire) Uniface Cast Bronze Portrait Medal, ND (ca. 1778). VERY FINE Details.
By Conrad Heinrich Küchler. Diameter: 81.7mm. Weight: 201.7 g. Obverse: Draped bust of Voltaire facing right, perimeter legend FRANCISCUS MARIA AROUET DE VOLTAIRE in banderole above; signature C H KUCHLER. below bust. Voltaire, a name taken after his incarceration in the Bastille and of uncertain origin, was a pre-eminent French Enlightenment philosopher, satirist, historian, prolific author, and noted wit. This medal is an unusual variety; the signature, though soft, appears sufficiently clear to that of Küchler's. The quality of the execution, however, is much more crude than might be expected from his Soho Mint output for example. In addition, cracks are seen in the portrait, perhaps suggestive of a uniface cast made utilizing a failed die or a poorly conditioned mold.
Margolis had a few rather overt interests in his collecting of medallic art. One such theme was that of medals pertaining to man's earliest pursuits to conquer the heavens in the form of ballooning. The European exploits of the late 18th century are contained here across many different country categories. Also quite noticeable was his interest in the medallic art of Jewish engravers, such as Jakob Abraham and his son, Abraham Abramson, among numerous others. Across this selection of medals, these themes and topics will become obvious, adding further dimensions to the already intense focus with which Margolis pursued his collecting.
From the Richard Margolis Collection.

Estimate: $300.00 - $500.00