Ancient, Celtic, British and World Coins. Historical and Art Medals, Numismatic Books

Ferdinand de Lesseps, 1884, a large uniface cast bronze medal by J. Ringel d’Illzach for the Librairie de l’Art, Paris, bust right dividing the words suez panama, palm branch above, 173mm (BDM V, 131). Bold, expressive style, about extremely fine and lightly patinated, extremely rare (£150-200)

Jean Ringel d’Illzach, master sculptor and medallist from Alsace; his medallic output was compared to that of David d’Angers by contemporary art critics of the early 20th century. His work is seldom seen in commerce and this is the first piece by him to appear in a DNW auction