St. James's Auctions
Auction 39 30 September 2016
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
† Belgium, Leopold I, medallic 100 francs, 1853, Marriage of Duke and Duchess of Brabant, bare head l., rev. conjoined bare heads r. (KM.XM3.1; Fr.409), about uncirculated, excellent sharpness in the portraits with pleasing gold surfaces, seldom encountered in gold
Engraved by Leopold Wiener, this attractive commemorative issue for the royal marriage is normally found as a gilt piece, not struck in gold as seen here. The engraver's talents were honed first in his brother's studio and then as a pupil of sculptor David d'Angers and finally as assistant to J. J. Barre, chief engraver for the Paris Mint, from whom Wiener learned the skills of sinking dies. Wiener described his employment under Barre as an experience 'he could scarcely have dreamed of', so highly regarded was Barre. The young Wiener began working in Belgium in 1847, soon winning distinction as an artist. The piece we see in this lot was one of a series of historical 'coinage' medals which he created between 1850 and 1864; in all, he designed and engraved about 150 pieces for the Belgian Mint. This particular issue was made to honour the Duke of Brabant's marriage, and it was rewarded with the Cross of the Order of Leopold for its outstanding quality. (£5000-6000)
Engraved by Leopold Wiener, this attractive commemorative issue for the royal marriage is normally found as a gilt piece, not struck in gold as seen here. The engraver's talents were honed first in his brother's studio and then as a pupil of sculptor David d'Angers and finally as assistant to J. J. Barre, chief engraver for the Paris Mint, from whom Wiener learned the skills of sinking dies. Wiener described his employment under Barre as an experience 'he could scarcely have dreamed of', so highly regarded was Barre. The young Wiener began working in Belgium in 1847, soon winning distinction as an artist. The piece we see in this lot was one of a series of historical 'coinage' medals which he created between 1850 and 1864; in all, he designed and engraved about 150 pieces for the Belgian Mint. This particular issue was made to honour the Duke of Brabant's marriage, and it was rewarded with the Cross of the Order of Leopold for its outstanding quality. (£5000-6000)