M064
Bronze, UNC
71 mm (2.81”), 156 grams
OBVERSE: Animated cherub (perhaps a youthful Fama) with two laurel wreaths, symbols of victory and honor, with the Latin “GLORIA” (a song of praise). Carl Paul Jennewein (1890–1978) was an outstanding German-born American sculptor who studied at the Art Students League of New York in 1933. At the same time, while he was engaged in the creation of the pediment sculpture for the Philadelphia Museum of Art, he also took the time to create this Society of Medalists issue #7.
REVERSE: “FAMA,” possibly the Latin Fama for the Greek goddess Pheme, dominantly displayed, with a cicada sculpted in the center, which Plato described as a soul with wings. As a symbol of resurrection, rebirth, or immorality, Socrates also described cicada wings as the soul to grow, wings filled with love. Jennewein’s initials “CPJ,” in the shape of an ear, and his whimsical face profile are added above the 1933 date, while an upper-case “C” with a centered “o” appear below the date, signifying copyright.
EDGE: The top edge is engraved “SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS SEVENTH ISSUE,” while the bottom edge is engraved “MEDALLAC ART CO. N.Y.”
