CHILE, Republic. 1818-present. Plaquette 1910 (Bronze, 61x43 mm, 82.05 g, 12 h), on the 100th Anniversary of Independence. By R. Lalique, Paris. 1810 - 1910 / REPUBLICA DE CHILE / PRIMER / CENTENARIO Female allegory of Chile standing facing holding a branch in her right hand and surrounded by wheat stalks. Rev. CIEN PESOS - DIEZ CONDORES Flag waving from diagonal flagpole with sunburst behind and mountainous landscape, below coat of arms. Tiny marks and deposits, otherwise, extremely fine.


René Lalique (1860-1945) revolutionized both jewelry and medallic art by rejecting rigid academic conventions and introducing a radically expressive, nature-inspired aesthetic that helped define the Art Nouveau movement. His work elevated jewelry from a display of precious materials to an independent artistic medium, combining innovative craftsmanship with symbolic imagery drawn from flora, fauna, and the female form. Lalique’s influence extended into medallic art through his sculptural treatment of relief, organic composition, and mastery of texture, shaping the visual language of decorative arts well into the twentieth century.