Finland (Russia) Bronze Medal 1896 - Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Finnish Art Society - Nicholas II (189

Finland (Russia) Bronze Medal 1896 - Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Finnish Art Society - Nicholas II (1894-1917)
55.12g. 47mm. AU/AU. Medaliers: E. Ahrenberg, E. Wikstrom, and engraved by C. Jahn. Diakov 1234.1; Bostrom II, s. 132. II. Obv.: Bust of Alexander III facing right within a circular inscription border. CAESAR ARTIVM DECVS ET TVTELA (The Emperor, the honor and protection of the arts.). Rev.: A young boy seated on a stone block with a quill and drawing, accompanied on the left by a Muse holding a lyre in her right hand and pointing with her left hand to the rising sun. J. AHRENBERG INV. - E. WIKSTRÖM. C. JAHN SC. / SOC. ARTIVM FINLANDIAE | MDCCCXLVI - MDCCCXCVI (Johan Ahrenberg designed - Edvard Wikström modelled - Carl Jahn engraved / The Art Society of Finland | 1846–1896.). Issued to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Finnish Art Society (Suomen Taideyhdistys), founded in 1846 to promote fine arts in Finland. The medal honors Emperor Alexander III as patron and protector of the arts, while the reverse allegory symbolizes artistic inspiration and the dawn of a new era for Finnish culture.