France, Reunion des Fabricants de Bronzes, 1888, a bronze medal by F. Levillain, naked male seated with hammer, fabricating a shield, plumed helmet behind, reverse legend in and around wreath border, delafontaine in centre, 58mm (cf. PBE 567; cf. Coll. R. Marx 414 [= BDM VII, 553]). Stain in centre of reverse, otherwise about extremely fine, very rare (£40-50)

Ferdinand Levillain (1837-1905), Parisian sculptor and medallist, specialised in evoking classical figures and gods of mythology on his medallic art, which was highly praised by his contemporaries Forrer and Marx. He was also employed for a time by the porcelain factory at Sèvres