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Alexander von Humboldt
German
probably 1869
Object Place: German
Medium/Technique
Metal; bronze
Dimensions
Diameter, depth, and weight: 61 mm, 8 cm (2 3/8 x 3 1/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Miss A. C. Storer
Accession Number23.51
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsNumismatics – Medals
DescriptionCircular medal of Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859), probably commemorating the hundredth anniversary of his birth.
Obverse: Profile bust of Humboldt looking to proper left with border design of birds and meandering linework; inscribed at edge "ALEXANDER V. HUMBOLDT" and "GEB.14 SEPT.1769" and on bust "H.[R?].FEC".
Reverse: Same decorative border as on obverse; female personification (possibly Science) standing at proper right holding a crown over a seated Humboldt who holds a tablet in proper rigth hand and holds his left hand to his head; a putti fishing two fish which are in exergue at proper left and a small hooded man kneels with offering at proper right; inscribed nscribed below "H.RUBERT FEC".
Obverse: Profile bust of Humboldt looking to proper left with border design of birds and meandering linework; inscribed at edge "ALEXANDER V. HUMBOLDT" and "GEB.14 SEPT.1769" and on bust "H.[R?].FEC".
Reverse: Same decorative border as on obverse; female personification (possibly Science) standing at proper right holding a crown over a seated Humboldt who holds a tablet in proper rigth hand and holds his left hand to his head; a putti fishing two fish which are in exergue at proper left and a small hooded man kneels with offering at proper right; inscribed nscribed below "H.RUBERT FEC".
InscriptionsObverse: Inscribed at edge "ALEXANDER V. HUMBOLDT" and "GEB.14 SEPT.1769" and on bust "H.[R?].FEC".
Reverse: Inscribed below "H.RUBERT FEC".
Reverse: Inscribed below "H.RUBERT FEC".
ProvenanceBy 1923, Mrs. A. C. Storer; 1923, gift of Mrs. A. C. Storer to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 4, 1923)