Secessionist Medals

Secessionist Artists - 1905 through 1913 => Ludwig Gies => Topic started by: Henry Scott Goodman on February 23, 2020, 04:48:16 PM

Title: Leben und Tod
Post by: Henry Scott Goodman on February 23, 2020, 04:48:16 PM

LEBEN UND TOD
(Life and Death)

Ludwig Gies 1911, Cast, two-sided, bronze medal, 63.4mm, 68.20g, Edge-Punch: „C.POELLATH SCHROBENHAUSEN“,
Ernsting WVZ 5.  Henry Scott Goodman Collection.

Obverse/Reverse exhibit the same field with a multi-profiled, stepped border: each depicted above an exposed ground line
with pearl ends; the image motifs are sculpturally raised in form.

Obverse: In profile to the left, a Centauride leaping over a thorn bush with a crown and a diaphanous drapery of flowing robes, in her raised right hand a bowl with a fountain and water running over the edge.

Reverse:  In profile to the left on an emaciated lion crouches death as a skeleton, on his head a similar crown as the Centauride of the obverse, over his right shoulder a scythe, holding an hourglass with both hands.  Below the bottom line raised LUDW• - GIES• inscribed.

Transferred from Poellath at the end of 1911.  Probably the first work within the framework of the early pieces created by Gies with allegorical and mythological themes.

Rarity: R7 Extremely Rare (4-12)

One (1) known in private collection
London, British Museum, Department of Coins and Medals;
Munich, Staatliche Münzsammlung (National Coin Collection);
Paris, Musée d’Historie Contemporaine (Museum of Contemporary History);
Ramat Aviv, Kadman Numismatic Museum;
Schrobenhausen, Heimatmuseum;
Vienna, Kunsthistoriches Museum (Art History Museum)