Lot 560

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Description:

(BENJAMIN FRANKLIN) JEAN-BAPTISTE NINI MEDALLION
(1706 - 1790) American statesman, inventor, and author, Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Large 3 5/8" high relief glazed ceramic clay medallion of Benjamin Franklin, produced by Jean-Baptiste Nini. Nini has signed and dated the medallion on Franklin's trunk, "Nini 1777". Nini produced several varieties of Franklin medallions, with this variety having the inscription "B. Franklin - Americain" surrounding Franklin's bust wearing his familiar fur cap. Being a celebrated genius, Franklin was an individual worthy of the Nini medallions. On June 3, 1779, Franklin sent a letter from France to his daughter in Philadelphia, recognizing the privilege of such an honor, he wrote: "The clay medallion you say you gave to Mr. Hopkinson was the first of the kind made in France. A variety of others have been made since of different sizes; some to be set in the lids of snuffboxes, and some so small as to be worn in rings; and the numbers sold are incredible. These, with the pictures, busts, and prints, (of which copies upon copies are spread everywhere,) have made your father's face as well known as that of the moon, so that he durst not do anything that would oblige him to run away, as his phiz would discover him wherever he should venture to show it. It is said by learned etymologists, that the name doll, for the images children play with, is derived from the word IDOL. From the number of dolls now made of him, he may be truly said, in that sense, to be i-doll-ized in this country". The medallion has a few points of wear at the top left and right edge, else a fine example of this contemporary Revolutionary War period piece.

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December 9, 2011 11:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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