1972 Waterloo Commemorative Silver Medal

Description: For sale is a Waterloo Sterling Silver Medal, numbered 1999 as part of a limited edition of 5,000. Many 19th century artists found inspiration in the myths of Greece and Rome. Benedetto Pistrucci was no exception. His famous Waterloo Medal is treated almost entirely allegorically. ObverseThe busts of the four Allied Sovereigns dominate the obverse of the medal. The group is headed by the Prince REgent (later George IV), Francis II Emperor of Austria, Alexender I Emperor of Russia, and Frederick William III King of Prussia. The portraits are framed by a border of many figures, constituting an allegorical and mythological allusion to victory and the peace which followed the battle of Waterloo.In this border, Apollo is most prominent and is depicted at the summit as God of the Sun. The West wind, Zephyr, and the messenger of the Rainbow, Iris, follow the path of the Sun. But the Zephyr inclines toward Earth, strewing blossoms symbolic of peace and goodwill. Approaching the chariot of Apollo from the other side is teh constellation Gemini, personified by the twin brothers Castor and Pollux. This astrological sign establishes June as the month of Napoleon. The brothers carry spears, and glorify the Commanders Wellington and Blucher as the saviors of Europe.Themis, the Goddess of Justice, is seated on a rock directly in front of the profile busts, and was probably included by Pistrucci to stress that Justice is more important for security than government by force. She is seated under a palm tree and is prepared to offer the palm leaves as a traditional reward for virtue. In her right hand she holds a sword, ready to strike down all those who use power contrary to the accepted code of laws.Below Themis, three figures are introduced to represent the Fates, indicating that human destiny will be tempered by justice.The power of the Allies is depicted by a Herculean figure brandishing a club. The figure is shown below an oak tree and is seated on a throne, the covering of which falls in a shape resembling a Lion, alluding to Hercules' many great exploits.There are three figures below this figure of Power which represent the Furies. These are the avenging deities symbolic of man's passions and hatreds. Pistrucci has depicted them as directly subject to the will and influence of Power. At the base of the obverse, the allegory is completed by a figure of Night, Mother of the Fates. She is receding into darkness as the day breaks through from Phoebus' chariot as it journeys from the summit. This alludes to the dawning of a new day of peace in Europe as the Emperor Napoleon is defeated. ReverseThe reverse of Pistrucci's Waterloo Medal depicts two figures on horseback - the Allied Commanders Wellington and Blucher. They are galloping into action, urged on by a winged figure of Victory flying between them. Following the same arrangement as on the obverse, this central theme is framed by a composition which represents the battle of the Giants in their assault on Heaven. The number of Giants in the groupings is nineteen, a reference to the nineteen years duration of the War.At the top of the grouping, Jupiter is shown as the guardian of the Heavens, hurling his thunderbolts on the Ogres below. All are struck down, and in their descent, fall over one another in chaos and confusion, symbolic of Napoleon's routed army.An unusual aspect of the design of both obverse and reverse is that no lettering appears on either side. Even though Benedetto Pistrucci labored 33 years on the design, he left it unfinished. The legend planned by Pistrucci, "Waterloo June 18 1815" has been added to the edge of the medal.

Price: 215 USD

Location: Jacksonville, Florida

End Time: 2025-01-25T21:32:32.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD