101476 | OTTOMAN EMPIRE. Constantinople. Hagia Sophia bronze Medal.

101476  |  OTTOMAN EMPIRE. Constantinople. Santa Sophia (Hagia Sophia) bronze Medal. Issued 1858. Most Remarkable Edifices of Europe series (59mm, 85.95 g, 12h). By J. Wiener in Brussels and struck at the Geerts mint in Ixelles.

 

Interior view of the mosque's north nave; in six lines in exergue, STE SOPHIE À CONSTANTINOPLE / BATIE PAR L'EMPEREUR JUSTINIEN 532-537 / CONVERTIE IN MOSQUÉE 1453 / RESTAURÉE SOUS LE RÈGNE DU SULTAN / ABDUL MEDJID 1847-1849 / PAR G. FOSSATI / View of the mosque's central nave. Edge: Numerous scratches and scuffs; otherwise plain.

 

Ross M208 (R3); van Hoydonck 206; Reinecke 60. Choice Mint State. Charming red-brown surfaces, with a delightful brilliance radiating from beneath. Compare to similar examples in Gorny & Mosch 172 (2008) & 197 (2011), lots 6525 & 7106 (which realized hammers of €1,400 and €1,100 [plus buyer's fee], respectively).

 

From what is today eastern Netherlands and western Germany, the Wieners were a Jewish family of exceptional medalists, especially known for numerous numismatic works throughout the Kingdom of Belgium. Eldest brother Jacob, along with younger brothers Leopold and Charles, created some of the finest works of medallic art of the 19th century, and all are particularly noted for their work in the highly detailed and intricate work of architectural renderings.

 

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