1283 - ANTOINE BOVY (1795–1877) - Medallion with a portrait of Franz Liszt

ANTOINE BOVY (1795–1877) - Medallion with a portrait of Franz Liszt Copper medallion framed in wood and gilded stucco from the Napoleon III era. Dimensions: 20 x 20 cm. A relief medallion depicting the composer Franz Liszt (1811–1886) in profile, with an inspired expression and long hair swept back, in accordance with the iconography characteristic of the 1840s, a time when the musician had already achieved extraordinary fame throughout Europe. The work is based on a model by Antoine Bovy, the celebrated Swiss medalist and sculptor trained in Paris in the studio of David d’Angers, with whom he shared a taste for portraits that were both idealized and true to life. This type of effigy of musicians, writers, and scholars was especially prized in the 19th century as a collector’s item of distinct cultural significance. The frame, made of wood and gilded stucco and richly decorated with scrolls, pearls, and foliage, is characteristic of the Second Empire style and enhances the contrast between the copper surface of the medallion and the gleam of the gilding, underscoring the piece’s intimate and prestigious nature. Antoine Bovy created several medals and medallions dedicated to Liszt in various materials, and comparable examples are held in institutions such as the Musée d’Orsay, the British Museum, and the Bibliothèque nationale de France. Our example, preserved in its period frame, is in very good condition and has a beautiful patina; it also retains an old label on the reverse indicating its London provenance in 1875. Lot located in an international warehouse (within the EU). Intra-EU shipping: no import duties apply within the EU. An export permit from the country of origin may be required. Due to its age and history of use, this lot may show signs of wear and previous interventions. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, no specialized technical testing has been performed. The absence of any mention of restorations does not guarantee that none exist. You may request additional information ...