Medal

Art Historical Context

This delicate medal, crafted by Anthony Paquet in 1859, exemplifies the precision of 19th-century American engraving. Measuring just 7/8 inches in diameter, features a finely rendered profile of a man, a common motif in medal design that evoked classical antiquity while honoring contemporary figures. Paquet, a skilled engraver active in Philadelphia, was renowned for his work on U.S. coins and medals, bringing a neoclassical elegance to his portraits through intricate line work and subtle modeling. Produced during a pivotal era just before the Civil War, such medals often served commemorative...