Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
Collector's Choice December 2021 Auction 30 Nov - 3 Dec 2021
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VIETNAM. France - Vietnam. Compagnie des messageries maritimes Bronze Medal, 1952. Paris Mint. CHOICE UNCIRCULATED.
Ruedas-Navires-110. By R. Tschudin. Diameter: 58mm; Weight: 110.61 gms. Advertising Vietnam and the Far East private field of the company. Obverse: Incense altar between two coiled dragons; Reverse: COMPAGNIE / DES MESSAGERIES MARITIMES, company arms; VIET-NAM. Edge: [cornucopia] BRONZE. Attractive brassy-bronze surfaces, with great artistry and relief. Compare to a similar example in our September Hong Kong auction (lot # 30105), which realized a total of $780.
Ruedas-Navires-110. By R. Tschudin. Diameter: 58mm; Weight: 110.61 gms. Advertising Vietnam and the Far East private field of the company. Obverse: Incense altar between two coiled dragons; Reverse: COMPAGNIE / DES MESSAGERIES MARITIMES, company arms; VIET-NAM. Edge: [cornucopia] BRONZE. Attractive brassy-bronze surfaces, with great artistry and relief. Compare to a similar example in our September Hong Kong auction (lot # 30105), which realized a total of $780.
The Compagnie des messageries maritimes was founded in 1851 as a French merchant shipping company, ultimately reaching its zenith between the end of the Franco-Prussian War and the beginning of World War I--a period of rapid French colonial expansion. Though it had shipping operations throughout the world, the Far East had become the company's private field, with Saigon in Vietnam becoming one of its second home ports. This medal points to the Far East shipping dominion, analogous to other French art medals for passenger shipping lines and their various destination routes.
Estimate: $150 - $300