Creator Biography
Jean Mauger was born in 1648 in the French commune of Dieppe. He moved to Paris in 1677 and spent most of his life working there. One of his major projects during this time was the production of 250 of the 286 medals made to display the history of King Louis XIV, and these were officially published in 1702. Mauger died in Paris in 1722.
Preview
Creation Date
ca. 1677-1702
Geography
Paris, France
Culture
French
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
Diameter: 1.6 in. (4.1 cm)
Weight: 1.3 oz (37.3g)
Credit Line
Gift in Loving Memory of Boris Blick & Judith Rosenbloom Blick by their daughter Sarah Blick, 2024
Accession Number
2015.159.4
Provenance
Though unspecific to this medal, as of February 2025, Professor Sarah Blick recalled the following details in regard to where her father's collection of medals may have been acquired:
She first mentioned that her father frequented Stagecoach Antiques on West Market Street while he lived in Akron, Ohio in 1964. Additionally, Her father purchased medals from Don Barrett at City Bank Antiques in Kent, Ohio. For the most part, however, his collection did not truly start coming together until he retired in 1990.
Additional Antique Shops Visited:
Cropley Circle Antiques - 1451 S Cleveland Massillon Rd, Akron, OH, 44321.
Medina Antique Mall - 2797 Medina Rd, Medina, OH 44256
Condition
The medal is in pristine condition, with only a minor spot of wear in the negative space to the right of Louis XIII’s head. (February 2025)
Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings
Obverse:
LUDOVICUS XIII · FR · ET NAV · REX ·
I MAVGER
Reverse:
COELI MUNUS.
LUDOVICUS DELPHINUS ·
V · SEPT · M · DC · XXXVIII
Description
The obverse of this commemorative medal shows Louis XIII looking to the right, and though his profile cuts off just underneath his shoulders, he appears to be nude. Framing his head is his formal title of “LUDOVICUS XIII FR ET NAV REX”. Directly under his profile reads Jean Mauger’s name in classical Latin, “I Mavger”. On the reverse, we see the narrative of Louis XIV being born. An angel carries Louis XIV down to earth, as Louis XIII sits to the right with his arms wide open welcoming his son to the world. Directly above the figures, it reads “COELI MUNUS”, which translates to “Heaven’s Gift”. Below the scene, it reads “LUDOVICUS DELPHINUS”, as well as Louis XIV’s birthday, September 5, 1638, in Roman numerals.