| Napoleon | |
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| Bust of Napoleon, facing left. BECKER | Rev: An eagle, wings outstretched, grips a branch. |
| Médaille, 19 x 24 mm. | |
| I've tentatively dated this medal circa 1905 based on a little research in Forrer. In his monumental work he lists quite a few medallists by the name of Becker. Though one of them, German engraver Karl Wilhelm Becker, was a contemporary of Napoleon (1771-1830) there is a couple of reasons I don't think this is his work. He is listed as having produced two medals on the subject of Napoleon's escape from the Island of Elba. It is possible that this may be one of those medals though the reverse imagery may be a bit vague to be certain. Also the style is not that of the early nineteenth century. |
| More likely this is the work of the French engraver Edmond Becker who was working in Paris in 1905 when Forrer published his work. Although he isn't specifically mentioned as producing a medal with Napoleon as a subject he is mentioned as an engraver producing medals and pendants of "exceptional artistic design and exquisite conception". |