Item number: M314

Year: AD 1931

Material: Bronze

Size: 67.8 x 67.8 x 5.0 mm

Weight: 139.0 g

Manufactured by: Paris Mint

Provenance: Teutoburger Münzauktion GmbH 2023

This is a bronze commemorative medal issued in June AD 1931 for the International Colonial Exhibition held at Lake Daumesnil, located in the outskirts of Paris. The event lasted for six months.

The obverse of the commemorative medal features a frontal bust of Marianne, the personification of France. Flanking Marianne on both sides are two pairs of male and female figures in profile, symbolising France’s colonial territories. Below the profile figures is the inscription “ED MARTIN INV.” The outer edge of the medal bears the French inscription “EXPOSITION COLONIALE INTERNATIONALE 1931” (International Colonial Exhibition 1931).

The reverse of the commemorative medal depicts a square plaque adorned with colonial motifs, including palm leaves and a basket of tropical fruits. In the background stands one of the exhibition’s main attractions: a life-size reproduction of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat palace, recreated in Paris. Surrounding the palace are representations of architectural elements from France’s African colonies, which were also featured at the exhibition. Notably, on the far right is a pavilion representing the Dutch East Indies, one of the invited participants. During the exhibition, this pavilion suffered a devastating fire caused by an electrical short circuit, resulting in the destruction of many invaluable artifacts from Indonesia.

The lower left side of the reverse bears the name of the sculptor, Raoul Bénard, engraved as “RAOUL BÉNARD.” Along the edge, there is the hallmark of the Paris Mint, along with the word “BRONZE,” denoting the medal’s material.

The AD 1931 International Colonial Exposition was France’s first large-scale colonial exhibition held after World War I, intended to showcase the nation’s strength and its contribution to the so-called “civilising mission.” The French government sought to highlight its colonial prowess and achievements. The exposition also invited the participation of other colonial powers, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, the United States, and Japan. Spanning six months, the event attracted between 7 to 9 million visitors in total.

物件編號: M314

年代: 公元 1931 年

材質: 青銅

尺寸: 67.8 x 67.8 x 5.0 mm

重量: 139.0 g

製造地: 巴黎造幣廠

來源: 條頓堡錢幣拍賣 2023

這是一枚公元1931年6月，於巴黎近郊的多梅尼爾湖舉辦為期半年的「國際殖民博覽會」發行之青銅紀念章。

紀念章正面為象徵法國的「瑪麗安娜」正面胸像，瑪麗安娜左右兩側有象徵法國殖民地的兩對男女側身像。側身像的下方有「ED MARTIN INV.」字樣。紀念章外圍則是法文銘文「EXPOSITION COLONIALE INTERNATIONALE 1931」(國際殖民博覽會 1931)。

紀念章背面是一個被棕梠樹葉和熱帶水果籃，這些殖民意象裝飾的方形牌匾。牌匾的背景是此次博覽會一大賣點，即按原比例在巴黎還原的柬埔寨吳哥窟宮殿。宮殿周遭則是同樣在博覽會呈現，來自法國非洲殖民地的意象建築。值得注意的是，最右側的亭樓為受邀參展的荷屬東印度展場，這棟亭樓在展覽期間因電線短路造成火災，許多來自印尼的珍貴文物遭到毀損。

紀念章背面左下側有雕刻家拉烏爾·貝納德的名字「RAOVL BÉNARD」，邊緣則有巴黎造幣廠的戳記及「BRONZE」(青銅) 材質字樣。

公元1931年舉辦的「國際殖民博覽會」為法國在第一次世界大戰後，首次舉辦的大型殖民地博覽會。法國政府希望以此展現國力及對於「文明開化」的貢獻。此次展覽亦邀請荷蘭、比利時、義大利、葡萄牙、美國和日本等國共襄盛舉。這場為期半年的博覽會總計吸引700至900萬人次的觀眾。