British and World Coins. Tokens and Historical Medals

Les Ballets Russes, Scheherazade, 1949, a bronze medal by H. Navarre, the dancer Nijinsky in traditional garb, supporting a circular platter above his head, reverse young female dancer, struck on a thick flan, 99mm (cf. Arethuse 7 [Apr. 1925], p.6, 10-12; cf. CGMP p.1384). Extremely fine and very rare (£140-180)

Henri Navarre (1885-1971), sculptor; his medallic work is seldom seen in commerce. This medal was originally executed in 1925 and shown at the exhibition Douze Medailleurs in that year. The reverse was re-issued as a uniface medal by the Monnaie in 1949. It is presumed that this piece was also struck at that time.
Vaslav Fomich Nijinsky (1888-1950) enjoyed a brief but brilliant career as one of the greatest dancers of the 20th century. He achieved his most notable success as the premier dancer and choreographer of the Ballets Russes, which body he joined in 1908 on meeting Serge Diaghilev, who became his mentor. Between 1909 and 1917 he performed throughout Europe, North and South America. In Scheherazade, first performed in 1910, he danced the title role