Medal
Unknown Artist
1800–30
Medium
Silver (with two shanks), cast
Dimensions
Diam. 7/8 in. (2.2 cm)
Classification
Medal
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of William H. Huntington, 1883
Accession Number
83.2.47
Tags
Art Historical Context
This petite silver medal, cast in the early 19th century1800–1830), the revered profile of George Washington, a motif that symbolized American patriotism in the young republic. Measuring just 7/8 inch in diameter, its compact made it ideal for personal adornment, with two shanks on the reverse suggesting it was designed as button, pendant, or insignia—practical yet poignant reminders of the nation's founding father. Crafted by an unknown American artist, the medal reflects the era's fascination with neoclassical portraiture, where Washington's dignified profile evoked ancient Roman virtues of...