Silver, Brass, Lamps, Jewelry and Metalware

A George Washington bronze medallion made in 1889 to commemorate the Centennial of his inauguration in 1789

Designed by Philip Martiny (1858-1927) and copyrighted by Augustus Saint-Gaudens in 1889, this wonderful cast bronze medallion measures 4 11/16" in diameter. It depicts Washington wearing a Continental Army uniform, under the inscription "GEORGE WASHINGTON" with the fasces of magistracy on the right, and a center inscription "PATER PAT/RIAE/MDCCL/XX/XIX," surrounded by a border of thirteen stars. The reverse depicts a spreadwing American eagle with the inscription "TO COMMEMORATE THE INAUGURATION OF GEORGE WASHINGTON AS FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AT NEW YORK APRIL XXX, MDCCCLXXXIX, BY AUTHORITY OF THE COMMITTEE ON CELEBRATION NEW YORK, APRIL XXX,MDCCCLXXXIX." The lower left depicts the New York State coat-of-arms, bordered with thirty-eight stars.