European Medals from 1513 to 1788 Germany, Danzig or Hamburg

European Medals from 1513 to 1788

Germany, Danzig or Hamburg. Medal (Silver, 53mm, 45.83 g 12), as a commemorative present for a couple engaged to be married, by either J. Blum or S. Dadler, but unsigned, undated but c. 1650. EINE KLUCK HENNE LIBET IHRE KUCHLEIN SEHR Hen seated on the ground to left, surrounded by her chicks; to left and right, palm tree. Rev. ICH LIEBE MEINE LIEBSTE NOCH VIEL MEHR Table with fruits and two doves; behind, a loving couple kissing each other; border of drapery. Antoine-Feill (J. Hamburger 1908), 4484. Holler (Kress 115, 1960), 4038. A very attractive and lustrous piece with a lovely patina. Of unusually fine quality. A few minor marks, otherwise, good extremely fine.

This is an example of a series of medals, showing loving couples on one side and a hen and chicks (or other scene) on the other. They symbolize the forthcoming happy marriage and were done by many of the best medallists of their day. This piece is unsigned but it can confidently be ascribed to a northern German or Polish engraver (Kress suggested J. Höhn, but Dadler or Blum seem more likely). See Künker 127 (2007), 4713 for a mounted example. In fact, medals of this type were usually mounted and worn: this piece is exceptional for its fine quality.