Glass Medallion with A Portrait of King Louis XIV

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Glass Medallion with A Portrait of King Louis XIV

Artist Bernard Perrot (French (Orléans), 1619-1709)

Dateabout 1685-1700

Dimensions17 x 14 1/2 in. (43 x 37 cm)

Mediummold-cast, ground, polished, gilded and silvered glass with carved, gessoed, and gilded wooden frame

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of The Georgia Welles Apollo Society

Object number

2006.42

On View

Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion (2444 Monroe Street), Glass Pavilion Gallery, 4

Label TextThis medallion was cast in a mold based on official gold medals of France’s “Sun King” Louis XIV (ruled 1643–1715) that date to the 1670s, after he had established his absolute monarchy. It is one of eight such medallions by Bernard Perrot (French, 1619–1709) known today. The medallions were made in three different molds showing the king at three different ages. Toledo’s example, of the king in his prime, is still in its original carved and gilded wood frame. One of Perrot’s most important contributions to glassworking was a secret method of casting glass in a mold to produce relief figures, busts, medals, inscriptions, and coats of arms. After 10 years of petitioning the French Academy of Sciences to patent his invention, he was finally granted permission for its manufacture on September 25, 1688. Perrot probably produced his cast glass medallions during the decade in which he was seeking this permit. He therefore may have chosen the likeness of the ruler to win the support of French officials and influential noblemen.Published ReferencesWhitehouse, David B., A Decade of Collecting. Corning: The Museum, 2000, p. 20.

"New Acquisitions: European Glass," The Gather, Corning Museum of Glass, Spring/Summer 2005 (Medallion given to the Ambassadors of Siam).

Dedo von Kerssenbrock-Krosigk, "Perrot's Portrait Plaques, " Journal of Glass Studies, 2007.

Putney, Richard H. and Paula Reich, Glass in Glass: Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, 2007, repr. (col.) p. 19, (det.) p. 18.

Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo Museum of Art Masterworks, Toledo, 2009, p. 184, repr. (col.).

Catherine Gorget, and Isabelle Klinka, Bernard Perrot (1640-1709): Secrets et chefs-d'oeuvre des verreries royales d'Orleans, Paris: Somogy, 2010, fig. 4 repr. (col.) p. 98 (not in exhibition).

Exhibition HistoryToledo, Toledo Museum of Art, Inspired Giving: The Apollo Society 25th Anniversary Exhibition, October 15, 2010-February 13, 2011, p. 38, repr. (col.) p. 38.Comparative ReferencesSee also Jacques Bénard et Bernard Dragesco, Bernard Perrot et les verreries royales du duché´ d'Orlé´ans: 1662-1754. Orléans: Editions des Amis du Musée d'Orléans, 1989, p. 44 (Orle´ans).