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Medal Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of Jewish Settlement in the United States
Isidore Konti (American (born in Austria), 1862–1938)
1905
Medium/Technique
Bronze
Dimensions
Diameter and weight: 75 mm (2 15/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Rabbi Howard A. Berman
Accession Number2014.2009
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJudaica
ClassificationsNumismatics – Medals
DescriptionIn 1654 a ship from Recife, Brazil, carrying Jewish refugees of Spanish and Portuguese descent, reached the shores of New Amsterdam. The following year, thanks to the intervention of the Dutch West India Company, they were allowed stay as permanent residents in the city.
250 years later, the Jewish sculptor Isidor Konti was commissioned to make a medal celebrating the anniversary of Jewish settlement in the United States. One of 286 bronze medals struck for the occasion, it shows on one side Liberty and Justice as two women in ancient dress, triumphant over a nude male figure representing Intolerance. On the other, is the personification of History, as a woman holding a sword and a tablet.
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250 years later, the Jewish sculptor Isidor Konti was commissioned to make a medal celebrating the anniversary of Jewish settlement in the United States. One of 286 bronze medals struck for the occasion, it shows on one side Liberty and Justice as two women in ancient dress, triumphant over a nude male figure representing Intolerance. On the other, is the personification of History, as a woman holding a sword and a tablet.
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InscriptionsObverse:"Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of Jewish Settlement in the United States". Artist's signature: ISIDORE KONTI SC
Reverse: "1655 -1905" on the tablet held by the female figure and in Hebrew around the figures:" Freedom is born from heaven; Justice and Law are the foundations of her throne. Inscribed with the artist's mark: "I K 1905".
Reverse: "1655 -1905" on the tablet held by the female figure and in Hebrew around the figures:" Freedom is born from heaven; Justice and Law are the foundations of her throne. Inscribed with the artist's mark: "I K 1905".
Provenance2014, gift of Howard Berman, Boston to the MFA. (Accession date: June 25, 2014)