100291 | FRANCE. Pierre-Jean de Béranger uniface bois durci Medal.

100291 | FRANCE. Pierre-Jean de Béranger uniface bois durci Medal. Issued circa 1860. Honoring the Chansonnier (113mm, 142.99 g).

 

J. P. DE BERANGER, bare head left / Blank, with a sanded texture and "BOIS DURCI" below an inverted "1." Edge: BRONZE.

 

Virtually as made. Some light marks and spots, but exceptional for the material and age; includes clasp for hanging.

 

A veritable superstar in France during his life, Pierre-Jean Béranger (1780-1857) was born in Paris to a fairly common family. Eventually becoming a prolific songwriter and poet, he had an immense influence within France, though faded into relative obscurity following his death.

 

Invented by Charles François Le Page and for which he received a patent in 1855, bois durci is a hard substance created from the mixture of sawdust and ox blood, subsequently heated and pressed, making a moldable yet durable substance used in some medallic issues of the era.

 

From the Kyle Ponterio Collection of Music Medals.

 

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