FRANCE. Duval-Janvier Bronze Plaque, ca. 1900. UNCIRCULATED. Jones-345. Dimensions: 60x52mm; Weight: 81.68 gms. By A.-L.-M. Charpentier for Arthus-Bertrand in Paris. Obverse: Bare-chested worker operating a <em>balancier </em>(coining press) by his own manpower; Reverse: The same image (as on the obverse) repeated three times in ascending sizes. <em>Edge</em>: BRONZE [triangle] 98. Pleasing yellow-brown surfaces, with only a few scattered spots.<p><em>Charpentier was not enamored by silky female images and, more than most, was content to celebrate the dignity of work. Accordingly, his worker is depicted bare to the waist, in keeping with his rigorous, sweaty task, but he is not idealized by nudity. The Janvier reducing machine made it possible to produce medals which started in larger sizes, modeled in soft materials like wax and clay. This is, therefore, one of the most important art medals celebrating the craft itself.</em>
