Digital museum showcasing the collection of worldwide legends over the years! 千古不朽博物館展示多年來收藏的世界傳奇故事!
1900 Exposition Universelle Bronze Plaque
(Full Size, With Case)
1900年世界博覽會 銅製牌匾
(官方版, 含盒)
Item number: M189
Year: AD 1900
Material: Bronze
Size: Case 83.6 x 65.0 x 9.8 / Plaque 51.0 x 36.0 x 2.3 mm
Weight: Case 23.4 / Plaque 35.05 g
Manufactured by: Paris Mint, France
Provenance: Katz Auction 2023
This plaque was issued by France to commemorate the 1900 Exposition Universelle, accompanied by a red leather storage case.
The front of the plaque depicts a nude, winged angel receiving a torch from a woman seated beneath an oak tree, symbolising the transition from the old century (represented by the woman) to the new century (represented by the angel). The upper right corner of the plaque is inscribed with “1801-1900,” and beneath these numbers, the inscription “LVMEN.VENTVRIS TRADIT.MORITV RA.PERENNE” can be found. The name “O. Roty,” engraved on the lower left part of the oak tree trunk, indicates that this plaque was created by the sculptor Oscar Roty.
Louis Oscar Roty was one of the most renowned medalists of the Art Nouveau period, responsible for designing hundreds of medals, including French postage stamps, architectural decorations for municipal buildings, and portrait medals of famous individuals.
The reverse side of the plaque features a depiction of the Grand Palais and Petit Palais in Paris, adorned with laurel leaves and roses at the top. The upper portion is inscribed with “EXPOSITION.UNIVERSELLE INTERNATIONALE.DE 1900 PARIS.”
The side of the plaque bears the mark of a “cornucopia,” the mintmark of the Paris Mint, alongside the word “BRONZE,” indicating that the item is made of bronze.
On April 14, AD 1900, France inaugurated the seven-month-long World Exposition in Paris, aiming to reflect on the achievements of the entire century and to showcase contemporary technology and culture.
The entrance fee for the exposition was one franc, roughly equivalent to twice the average hourly wage of Parisian workers at the time. Moreover, most attractions within the exposition required additional entrance fees, and visitors also had to bear the cost of meals. Despite attracting a large number of visitors and collecting substantial fees, the vast scale of the exposition and unforeseen expenses ultimately resulted in a deficit of 20 million francs for the Paris municipal government.
The French government invited over 50 countries from around the world to participate, including China. However, the timing of the exposition coincided with the Boxer Rebellion, leading to an incident where a Chinese parade delegation was attacked by Parisians.