French 1889 bronze medal for the inauguration of the new Sorbonne, Paris, by C.-P. G.-A. Pillet
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1889
This large French bronze commemorative medal was struck in 1889 to mark the inauguration of the reconstructed Sorbonne buildings in Paris. Measuring 80mm in diameter and weighing 273.75g, the medal features intricate allegorical designs sculpted by Charles-Philippe Germain-Aristide Pillet.
The obverse depicts the old Sorbonne as a seated woman welcoming the new Sorbonne, represented by a young girl holding a laurel branch and an engraved plaque, with a figure representing Paris observing the scene and the elevation of the new building in the background. The reverse shows a classically-styled, bare-bosomed young woman reading under a tree, with the Latin Quarter of Paris at her feet and the arms of the Republic and Paris above framed by oak and laurel foliage.
The edge bears an impressed 'bronze' marking and a cornucopia symbol. The medal showcases a dark patina and serves as a significant iconographic record of the monumental building project commissioned by the Minister of Public Instruction, Jules Ferry, and designed by architect Henri-Paul Nénot.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Patina
- dark
- Weight
- 273.75g
- Diameter
- 80mm
- Material
- bronze
Technical characteristics
- Edge marks
- impressed bronze and cornucopia
Design
- Obverse
- Old Sorbonne as a seated woman welcoming new Sorbonne as a girl with laurel and plaque, Paris figure, and building elevation
- Reverse
- Reading girl in classical style, Paris cityscape, arms of the Republic and Paris framed by oak and laurel
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- C.-P. G.-A. Pillet
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.