Special Collections

Sold on 31 May 1995

1 part

.

A Collection of Art Medals

Lot

№ 185

.

31 May 1995

Hammer Price:
£200

France, 1914. France (WWI). Mobilization, uniface cast Æ Medal by Pierre Roche, 148mm, Harvester changing his scythe for a sword to protect himself against the attack of the Germanic Eagle (P.R [Canale 1918] p.8, No 6). Very rare, extremely fine (£170-200)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Art Medals.

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Fernand Massignon, dit Pierre Roche (1855-1922) pupil of Dalou and Rodin. Mainly a sculptor, he cofounded the Societe Nationale des Beaux-Arts. Very concerned by WWI, Pierre Roche is the only French artist who dared to undertake the realisation of a very important series of cast medals which were issued by Canale at the end of the war. See Catalogue de Guerre, Pierre Roche (Canale, 1918) and P.K(Bronzes du XIXe), p. 573. See BDM V, 144 and VIII, 168 and the interesting article "Reflexions sur la Médaille de Guerre Contemporaine", Arethuse fasc 1 (Oct. 1923), p.28: "The inspiration of Pierre Roche is diverse, flowing and as capricious as a flame" (p.38).