ANTIQUE 1927 COUDRAY AGRICULTURE BRONZE MEDAL PLOUGH OXEN MR V EVEN FRANCE PARIS
A superb antique FRENCH BRONZE AGRICULTURAL ART MEDAL / PLAQUETTE designed by:
MARIE-ALEXANDRE-LUCIEN COUDRAY
and featuring a beautifully modelled rural farming scene associated with:
L’AGRICULTURE
The medal was later personalised and presented on:
6 JUILLET 1927
to:
M. V. EVEN
in recognition of:
50 YEARS OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
making this a particularly appealing combination of French Art Nouveau medallic art, agricultural history and a named presentation.
Details
Artist / Medallist: Marie-Alexandre-Lucien Coudray
Subject: Agriculture / Farming
Presentation Date: 6 July 1927
Recipient: M. V. Even
Presentation: 50th Professional Anniversary
Associated Organisation: Société Vétérinaire Pratique, as inscribed
Material: Bronze
Country: France
Style: Art Nouveau
Type: Presentation Medal / Plaquette
Please refer to the photographs for the exact dimensions, weight, inscriptions, edge markings and condition.
Lucien Coudray
MARIE-ALEXANDRE-LUCIEN COUDRAY (1864–1932)
was an important French sculptor and medallist associated with the flourishing medallic arts of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
His work is particularly admired for:
NATURALISTIC FIGURES
RURAL SUBJECTS
CLASSICAL COMPOSITION
FINE RELIEF MODELLING
ART NOUVEAU CHARACTER
and agricultural subjects were especially well suited to his highly detailed sculptural style.
The artist’s name is correctly:
COUDRAY
rather than Loudray.
L’Agriculture
The design is commonly associated with:
L’AGRICULTURE
and depicts traditional rural labour.
The principal scene shows a:
PLOUGHMAN / FARM WORKER
working the land with:
TWO OXEN
and, depending on the exact version, an accompanying youthful figure or secondary farm worker.
The imagery celebrates:
AGRICULTURE
LABOUR
RURAL LIFE
FERTILITY OF THE LAND
TRADITIONAL FARMING
Plough & Oxen
The use of a team of:
OXEN DRAWING A PLOUGH
gives the medal particularly strong agricultural collector appeal.
Before widespread mechanisation, oxen were an important source of draught power in European farming and became a familiar symbol of:
HARD WORK
ENDURANCE
THE LAND
RURAL TRADITION
The scene is therefore both decorative and historically evocative.
1927 Presentation to M. V. Even
This example is particularly interesting because it carries a personalised inscription dated:
6 JUILLET 1927
and dedicated to:
M. V. EVEN
The inscription records a:
CINQUANTENAIRE PROFESSIONNEL
or:
50TH PROFESSIONAL ANNIVERSARY
marking an unusually long period of professional service.
Société Vétérinaire Pratique
The inscription reportedly references:
SOCIÉTÉ VÉTÉRINAIRE PRATIQUE
which gives the medal an additional connection with:
VETERINARY HISTORY
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
This association fits particularly well with Coudray’s farming imagery and the prominent oxen in the composition.
Important Date Distinction
The date:
1927
relates to the personalised presentation of this example.
The underlying L’Agriculture design by Coudray appears to have originated earlier, around the early 20th century.
This means the medal combines:
AN EARLIER ART NOUVEAU DESIGN
with:
A SPECIFIC 1927 PRESENTATION INSCRIPTION
which is an important distinction for accurate cataloguing.
Art Nouveau Medallic Art
Coudray worked during one of the finest periods of French medal design.
Artists of the era transformed medals and plaques into miniature sculptures through the use of:
ASYMMETRICAL COMPOSITIONS
NATURALISTIC FIGURES
LANDSCAPE
FLOWING RELIEF
SYMBOLIC SUBJECTS
This example has excellent appeal as both an agricultural object and a work of French Art Nouveau medallic art.
Bronze Construction
The piece is described as:
BRONZE
with the rich aged surface expected of an early 20th-century French medal.
Bronze can naturally develop:
BROWN
CHESTNUT
OLIVE
DARK PATINATION
over time.
Please inspect the photographs for any edge stamp or maker’s mark confirming the exact metal and manufacturer.
Collector Appeal
This medal should appeal to collectors of:
Lucien Coudray
French Bronze Medals
Agricultural Medals
Farming History
Ploughing
Oxen
Veterinary History
Art Nouveau
Named Presentation Medals
1927 Memorabilia
French Medallic Art
Highlights
LUCIEN COUDRAY
L’AGRICULTURE
FRENCH BRONZE MEDAL
PLOUGH & OXEN FARMING SCENE
DATED 6 JULY 1927
NAMED TO M. V. EVEN
50th professional anniversary
Veterinary association
Art Nouveau design
Strong rural and agricultural history
Personalised presentation example
A highly attractive antique Lucien Coudray agricultural bronze medal, combining a classic French Art Nouveau farming design with a named 1927 50-year professional presentation to M. V. Even.
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
MINOR SCRATCHES
TONING
GENERAL AGE-RELATED WEAR
where visible.
The artist is identified as Marie-Alexandre-Lucien Coudray based on the known design and signature.
The farming scene is associated with Coudray’s L’Agriculture composition.
The 1927 date relates to the presentation inscription, rather than necessarily the original date of the medal design.
The recipient is recorded as M. V. Even based on the supplied inscription.
Please use the photographs as the definitive guide to the artist signature, presentation wording, dimensions, weight, edge markings and overall condition.
🖼️ Item Condition:
This item is in honest antique condition. I’ve included detailed photographs to show the condition, size, weight, inscriptions, edge markings and patina, so please review them carefully before placing your bid.
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