Bidspirit auction | Austria - Vienna - Centenary

Austria - Vienna - Centenary Medal of the Imperial and Royal Society of the Friends of Music, 1812-1912 - Bronze, 75 mm - An artistic bronze medal issued in 1912 to commemorate the centenary of the Imperial and Royal Society of the Friends of Music in Vienna, today known as the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde and closely associated with Vienna's Musikverein. Founded in 1812, the society was established to promote musical culture through concerts, professional musical education and the development of a music archive. Obverse: An elaborate allegorical composition featuring a male figure holding a lyre and representing the art of music. Opposite him is a group of female figures, one presenting a laurel branch, with the spire of a Viennese church visible in the background. Around the rim appears the inscription: ”K.K. GESELLSCHAFT DER MUSIKFREUNDE IN WIEN - GEGRÜNDET 1812” (Imperial and Royal Society of the Friends of Music in Vienna - Founded in 1812) This side was designed by Hans Schäfer, whose name appears at the lower edge. Reverse: A large lyre decorated with roses appears at the center, surmounted by a bird with outstretched wings. On either side appears the inscription: ”ZUR ERINNERUNG AN DEN 100 JÄHRIGEN BESTAND” (In Commemoration of 100 Years of Existence) The dates appear below: ”1812-1912” This side is signed by the Austrian artist and medallist Arnold Hartig. A large and impressive medal combining allegorical art, music and Viennese cultural history, issued for the centenary celebrations of one of Austria's leading musical institutions.