FRANCE. François-Marie Arouet (Voltaire) Uniface Oval Bronze Portrait Medal, ND (ca. 1778). EXTREMELY FINE.
Unsigned. Dimensions: 60mm x 48mm. Weight: 33.1 g. Obverse: Draped bust of Voltaire facing right; anepigraphic. 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. He was also a contemporary friend and critic of Jean Jacques Rousseau - both dying in 1778. This medal offers deep umber color on its stippled surfaces, with lighter sepia tones gracing the key lines and elements of the design features. Though unsigned, the portrait bust is extremely similar to the Voltaire busts executed by, or attributed to, Georg Christian Waechter. Attractive and rare.
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: $100.00 - $200.00