General Washington
ca. 1867
Medium
Brass
Dimensions
Diam. 3/4 in. (1.9 cm)
Classification
Medal
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Wait, 1908
Accession Number
08.230.18
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum Art, the delicate brass medal *General Washington* (ca. 1867), crafted by engraver Ludwig Christian Lauer captures the enduring reverence for America's first president. Measuring just 3/4 inch in diameter, this intimate portrait likely features George Washington in profile, flanked by patriotic eagles—symbols of strength and freedom that adorned countless 19th-century American artifacts. Lauer's precise engraving technique on brass highlights his skill as a Philadelphia-based medalist, known for producing finely detailed commemorative pieces duri...