Prize medal for the International Cattle Show at the 1889 Universal Exhibition in Paris
François Joseph Hubert Ponscarme (Belmont-lès-Darney 1827 - Malakoff 1903)
Category
Coins and medals
Date
1879 - 1882 (this example made in 1889)
Materials
Metal
Measurements
3 mm (Height); 41.8 mm (Diameter)
Place of origin
Paris
Order this imageCollection
Ickworth, Suffolk
NT 849223.2
Summary
Medal, silver; Ministry of Agriculture medal for the Paris Universal Exhibition; Hubert Ponscarme (1827-1903); Paris, 1879-1882, this example 1889. In 1889 the French government organized an enormous ‘Universal Exhibition’ in Paris, which attracted more than 32 million visitors over the six months it was open. The main reminder of the fair today and one of its main attractions with the visiting public was the tall iron viewing tower known as the Eiffel Tower. This is one of four medals, one gold and three silver, won by Frederick William Hervey, 3rd Marquess of Bristol (1834-1907), who sent four of his Suffolk sheep for exhibition in the adjoining ‘Breeding Stock’ fair. The medal was designed by the leading French medallist and sculptor Hubert Ponscarme (1827-1903) for the French Ministry of Agriculture, which used it as a prize medal at various events over many years.
Provenance
Awarded as a prize in Paris in July 1889, to Frederick William Hervey, 3rd Marquess of Bristol (1834-1907). By descent as part of the Bristol Collection. The house and contents were acquired through the National Land Fund and transferred to the National Trust in 1956.
Marks and inscriptions
Obverse legend : RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE Artist’s signature, at bottom : PONSCARME Reverse legend : MINISTÈRE DE L’AGRICULTURE Tablet : EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE / 1889 / ANIMAUX VIVANTS / ESPÈCE OVINE Artist’s signature, at bottom : PONSCARME Stamped on edge : ARGENT
Makers and roles
François Joseph Hubert Ponscarme (Belmont-lès-Darney 1827 - Malakoff 1903) , medallist