Lot 137, Auction 4/12/2026: 6 Bronze Art Medals and Syntex Memorette

$390.00

In stock

Six medals: (1) Stanley Bleifeld (American, 1924-2011). “Chinese Philosophers” bronze medal, Fall 1974. Signed and dated near lower edge of obverse and on periphery; (2) Laszlo Ispanky (Hungarian-born American, 1919-2010). “Spring Wind – Autumn Wind” bronze medal, Spring 1974. Signed and dated near lower edge of reverse and on periphery; (3) Toivo Johnson (American, 1913-1973) and Robert Stephen Schabel (American, 1909-1995). “Euaenetos” bronze medal, 1963. Signed and dated on reverse; (4) J. Delpech (French, active XX century). Neoclassical music scenes. Double-sided bronze plaque, ca. early 20th century. Signed at lower left; (5 & 6) Syntex (American, active XX century). “The Memorette” two brass paperweights modelled after a birth control pill box, 1970s. Titles with company name on verso. A compelling ensemble of mid-20th century medallic art, this group brings together sculptors and designers who translated history, philosophy, and modern life into finely modeled relief. Size of largest (Euaenetos): 3″ Diameter (7.6 cm)

United by their tactile surfaces and sculptural clarity, these works reflect a period when medals functioned not merely as commemorative objects, but as portable works of art. Bleifeld’s “Chinese Philosophers” presents Lao-tzu and Confucius standing in quiet exchange, their elongated drapery and stillness conveying intellectual gravity. The reverse, with its depiction of the Yangtze River gorges, evokes the atmospheric depth of traditional Chinese landscape painting. Issued as part of the Society of Medalists series, the medal demonstrates Bleifeld’s ability to merge cross-cultural subject matter with modern relief technique. Ispanky’s “Spring Wind – Autumn Wind,” also part of the Society of Medalists series, shifts the tone toward a more lyrical meditation. A semi-draped female figure with wind-swept hair appears on the obverse, while the reverse presents a youthful male seen from behind, framed by leaves. The pairing reflects the artist’s fascination with the cycles of nature and the passage of time, linking human form to seasonal change.

The “Euaenetos” medal by Johnson and Schabel draws inspiration from ancient Syracusan coinage, reinterpreting classical designs through bold, high-relief modeling. Architectural elements and inscriptions recall the legacy of Greek engravers, situating the piece within a broader revival of classical numismatic traditions in the 20th century. Delpech’s bronze plaque offers a quieter, more restrained composition, with neoclassical figures arranged in a musical or narrative scene. The low relief and balanced design emphasize clarity of line and form, suggesting rhythm through gesture.

Completing the group, the Syntex “Memorette” paperweights translate pharmaceutical design into sculptural object. Modeled after oral contraceptive packaging, their oval forms bear a classical female profile, merging industrial design with subtle references to antiquity. Produced during a period of social and medical transformation, they reflect how even utilitarian objects could adopt the language of art. Together, these works form a cohesive exploration of medallic practice, where history, allegory, and modern identity are rendered in enduring metal form.

Condition: All are in extremely fine condition. “Spring Wind” and “Chinese Philosophers” are accompanied by original boxes as well as pamphlets about medal designs and artists. “Euaenetos” is also in original box.

Provenance: private Sheffield, Massachusetts, USA collection, by inheritance, collected 1970’s

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