FEATURED:  A wonderful example of the beautiful metal artwork created for commemorative medals during the early period of the Twentieth Century, this '125th Anniversary of the Founding of Cleveland (Ohio) Bronze Medal,  issued in 1921, with artwork by Walter A. Sinz, a famous Cleveland artist, and made at the Medallic Art Company foundry in NYC, their original location, is a very handsome item, in good condition, with its original  aged, soft patina and great images on both sides.  On the front we see Moses Cleaveland, a surveyor known as the Father of Cleveland, in his finest clothes, survey equipment in hand, and the dates July 22, 1796 and July 22, 1921 above him.   On the reverse we see 'Fifth City', an anchor, steel mills, an iconic Cleveland bridge span, a gear, a guardian woman/angel with a sword, and a well-muscled workman from a factory in an industrial apron and large wrench in hand, all symbolic of Cleveland then, and now.

The 125th Anniversary Committee commissioned this medal, with W. S. Fitzgerald, Mayor at the time, as the Honorary Chairman overseeing this.  The art is very much in keeping with the Art Deco style of this period, and Walter Sinz was a recognized sculptor, both locally and nationally; he was one of the 'Cleveland School' of artists from that period, and a designer at Cowan Pottery, also in Cleveland;  his work is today very collectible, and this is a great example of his talent as well as a great collectible for fans of  Commemorative Medals, Cleveland, Ohio and the Art Deco era.  Medals like this are fascinating to us, as they contain so much iconic detail of the person, place or event, in such a small area, yet are beautiful to view and prove that great works of art are not always large and on walls.

MEASURES:  2 inches in diameter, with smooth sides, 1/4 inch thick, not signed by Sinz but identified as his work.  Made in 1921 by the Medallic Art Company, one of the most famous and highly regarded foundries and companies of its kind in the world- their work has always been highly regarded and very much collected by connoisseurs of this genre of metal art. This was made when they were still in NYC at their original site.  Solid bronze with its original muted patina, and in very good condition other than some very slight age/storage wear to both sides,several very tiny specks of verdigris (cannot be seen with naked eye) noted on reverse ;  each side has great Art Deco-influenced detailed images representing Cleveland, Ohio in 1921.  Designed by noted artist Walter A. Sinz, Cleveland, Ohio artist.  We do not know how many of these were issued, but feel it was a very low number as these were not made for retail sales, but as commemorative medals for the movers and shakers of Cleveland in 1921.  A rare piece to find on the open market, and a great example of the beautiful quality of medals made during a booming period in America, and a great example of the talents Walter Sinz had for things very big, and very small, such as this.

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