ANTIQUE 1909 PARIS CONFORT MODERNE COPPER MEDAL BESSOU E CHANOIT ART NOUVEAU FR!
A superb antique FRENCH COPPER / BRONZE-TYPE EXPOSITION MEDAL produced for the:
EXPOSITION INTERNATIONALE DU CONFORT MODERNE
PARIS – 1909
and signed:
BESSOU
with the engraved recipient name:
E. CHANOIT
This highly decorative medal combines classic ART NOUVEAU allegory, Parisian heraldry and exhibition history, making it an excellent piece for collectors of French medals, international exhibitions and early 20th-century decorative arts.
Details
Event: Exposition Internationale du Confort Moderne
Location: Paris, France
Date: 1909
Artist / Medallist: Bessou, as signed
Recipient / Engraving: E. Chanoit
Material: Copper / Bronze-Type Metal
Style: Art Nouveau / Belle Époque
Type: Exhibition / Prize / Commemorative Medal
Please refer to the photographs for the exact diameter, weight, edge markings, inscriptions and condition.
Exposition Internationale du Confort Moderne
The medal commemorates the:
EXPOSITION INTERNATIONALE DU CONFORT MODERNE
held in:
PARIS – 1909
The exhibition formed part of the flourishing culture of international industrial and decorative-arts exhibitions held in Paris during the early 20th century. Contemporary and later records confirm an exhibition under this title in Paris in 1909.
Such exhibitions promoted developments in:
DOMESTIC COMFORT
DECORATIVE ARTS
INDUSTRY
TECHNOLOGY
MODERN DESIGN
and often issued medals and diplomas to participants and exhibitors.
Paris Coat of Arms
One side features the heraldic:
COAT OF ARMS OF PARIS
which traditionally incorporates the famous ship emblem associated with the city.
This gives the medal a strong civic and exhibition identity and ties it directly to Paris.
Allegorical Female Figure
The opposite side features a dramatic allegorical composition with a:
WINGED FEMALE FIGURE / FAME / VICTORY-TYPE FIGURE
holding attributes such as a:
TRUMPET
LAUREL WREATH
and accompanied by a youthful figure.
The composition has the flowing, symbolic quality characteristic of:
FRENCH ART NOUVEAU
BELLE ÉPOQUE MEDALLIC ART
Maritime / Industrial Imagery
The background appears to contain imagery associated with:
SHIPPING
INDUSTRY
COMMERCE
THE RISING SUN
giving the medal a broader theme of progress, modernity and international trade.
Such imagery was particularly appropriate for an exhibition devoted to modern comfort and industrial advancement.
Bessou
The medal is signed:
BESSOU
and this signature should be treated as the definitive artist identification where clearly visible.
I would avoid attributing the design to better-known medallists such as:
F. VERNON
ALFRED BORREL
JULES-CLÉMENT CHAPLAIN
simply because the allegorical style is similar.
The visible Bessou signature is the stronger evidence.
E. Chanoit
The medal is engraved with the name:
E. CHANOIT
which appears to represent a recipient, exhibitor, participant or prize winner associated with the exposition.
This personalised engraving significantly improves the medal’s historical interest.
Without supporting exhibition records, however, I would avoid stating exactly what E. Chanoit exhibited or what level of prize was awarded.
Prize / Exhibition Medal
This type of object may have served as:
EXHIBITION AWARD MEDAL
PRIZE MEDAL
PARTICIPANT MEDAL
COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL
Because the recipient’s name is engraved, it may well have been presented personally.
However, unless the medal explicitly states:
GRAND PRIX
MÉDAILLE D’OR
MÉDAILLE D’ARGENT
or another award level, I would avoid claiming a specific prize grade.
Copper / Bronze Construction
The medal appears to be made from:
COPPER / COPPER-BASED BRONZE-TYPE METAL
with an attractive aged surface.
Over time, such medals can develop:
BROWN
RED-BROWN
OLIVE
DARK PATINATION
which can enhance the relief and sculptural detail.
Please use the photographs as the definitive guide to the actual metal colour and patina.
Art Nouveau Medallic Art
The medal dates from the height of the:
ART NOUVEAU / BELLE ÉPOQUE
period.
French medallists of this era often employed:
FLOWING DRAPERY
ALLEGORICAL FEMALE FIGURES
LAUREL WREATHS
SYMBOLS OF INDUSTRY
MARITIME MOTIFS
CLASSICAL IDEALS
to express progress and modernity.
This example is an especially attractive combination of Art Nouveau style and exposition history.
Collector Appeal
This medal should appeal to collectors of:
1909 Paris Exposition
Confort Moderne
Bessou
French Copper Medals
Art Nouveau
Belle Époque
E. Chanoit
Paris Memorabilia
Exhibition Medals
French Heraldry
Industrial History
Highlights
PARIS 1909
EXPOSITION INTERNATIONALE DU CONFORT MODERNE
SIGNED BESSOU
ENGRAVED E. CHANOIT
COPPER / BRONZE-TYPE MEDAL
Paris coat of arms
Winged Fame / Victory-style figure
Laurel and trumpet imagery
Maritime / industrial scene
Strong Art Nouveau appeal
Personalised exhibition medal
A very attractive antique 1909 Paris Confort Moderne exhibition medal, signed Bessou and engraved to E. Chanoit, with excellent Belle Époque and Art Nouveau collector interest.
Condition & Attribution
The medal is in honest antique condition with wear consistent with age and handling.
Please inspect the photographs carefully for any:
SURFACE MARKS
PATINATION
EDGE KNOCKS
RUBBING TO HIGH POINTS
SMALL SCRATCHES
TONING
GENERAL AGE-RELATED WEAR
where visible.
The artist is identified as Bessou based upon the visible signature.
The engraved name E. Chanoit appears to be a recipient or participant name, but no exact biographical identification is claimed without supporting records.
The material is described as copper / bronze-type metal unless edge markings or specialist testing confirm the precise alloy.
No specific award level is claimed unless clearly stated on the medal itself.
🖼️ Item Condition:
This item is in honest antique condition. I’ve included detailed photographs to show the condition, size, weight, inscriptions, edge marks and patina, so please review them carefully before placing your bid.
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