GIES: 1915 WWI art medal

cacheman

Ludwig Gies "Geboren im Jahre des Weltkriegs” (Born in the year of the World War), Cast Bronze, 34.5mm, UNC, Unique Ernsting WVZ77, Frankenhuis 1105.

Obverse: A newborn infant, with radiant halo, asleep under a German pickelhaube. In border, "Geboren im Jahre des Weltkriegs" (Born in the year of the world war).

Reverse: A blank tablet for name of baby; sword above in laurels and star to the left.

cacheman

ttt ....For those of you who might care in seeing this unique example of Great War art.

oldshep

It is indeed unique.... what an interesting turn your "coin collecting" has taken in the time since you discovered (and shared with us) the art of Goetz and the history found in medals.
Keep us informed.
Shep

Preussen

Another beautiful medal. Thanks for sharing . - Preussen

Lynch

Unique?

Well, that's as rare as they come, isn't it?

The blank area on the back for engraving the name of the baby suggests that the intent was to produce this medal in larger quantities.

Were they actually made & then destroyed for some reason, or did the (presumed) plan to issue more fall through?

Congratulations on this latest acquisition.

cacheman

I'll see if I can talk Udo into translating the Ernsting text regarding this medal. I do know that at the time of Ernstings writing, the existence of this piece was only speculated and not proven. It has since appeared from an old collection.

I have three or four other pieces with the same general reverse design, although in different varieties. They, too, have the shield for the name, but number in only two or three pieces known.

Stork

I usually like baby themed medals, but I must admit, this particular baby gives me the creeps (sort of like that dancing baby from way back). Is it the face, or just the fact the helmet looks like it's about to swallow it nearly whole? Perhaps a bit of symbolism there. You do find the most intriguing (?sp) things.

Cathy

Udo

You could also interpret the helmet as protection against whatever, but it is a war helmet though and the sword on the reverse clearly shows what the medal is about.

1jester

Very fascinating and intriguing medal, Cacheman!

cacheman

And a partial answer for Lynch is that this bronze piece was the pattern for this design. Gies created it as a "display" piece to drum up business. I'm not a home now to look at my references but I seem to recall that perhaps one or two silver examples might exist. This bronze "pattern" is unique however.

theboz11

Got to love Unique, Fantastic acquisition.

cacheman

Okay, Got a chance to check Ernsting...this bronze piece is unique.and doesn't have the "C.Poellath Schrobenh" foundry edge-stamp. Three silvered (versilbert) bronze pieces with foundry stamp exist. One in the British Museum, one in the Stuttgart Museum, and one in private collection. The mold from this bronze medal was lent to the foundry where they cast the three pieces, edge-stamped them, and then silvered them. The image in the reference book doesn't have a baby's name inscribed on the reverse tablet either. I have been told that museums would pay to have examples made in order to place them in their collections and apparently that's what happened with at least two of the silvered examples.

Lynch

<< <i>the helmet looks like it's about to swallow it nearly whole? >>



I didn't see it that way until you mentioned it, but it almost looks like the baby is in the mouth of a whale or some similar sea creature.

Maybe the baby should be named "Jonah"?

Lynch

<< <i>One in the British Museum, one in the Stuttgart Museum, and one in private collection. The mold from this bronze medal was lent to the foundry where they cast the three pieces, edge-stamped them, and then silvered them. The image in the reference book doesn't have a baby's name inscribed on the reverse tablet either. I have been told that museums would pay to have examples made in order to place them in their collections and apparently that's what happened with at least two of the silvered examples. >>



Three silvered copies known, 2 of which are in major museum collections.

Wow!

Madame

I love it! Sorry I missed out on this one. Been away from the board a few days.