Bavarian Medals, Maximilian Joseph and Ludwig, Bravery Medal, Plate XIII, 1844

This is an original antique wood engraving, colored by hand, showing five medals of the Kingdom of Bavaria. At the upper left a gold medal (32) shows a bust of King Maximilian Joseph in uniform with a star on his breast, on a ribbon of light blue and white. At the upper right a second gold medal (31) carries a similar bust with a Latin legend, on a black ribbon edged in white and light blue. In the center a gold medal (30) shows the bare head of King Ludwig, on a crimson ribbon edged in light blue. At the foot two medals share one black ribbon edged in white and light blue: a gold medal (33) with a uniformed bust of Maximilian Joseph, and a silver medal (34) with a crowned lion standing and holding a sword and a shield of the Bavarian lozenges.

The running head reads "BAVIÈRE." (Bavaria) and the plate number "XIII.". The medals are numbered 30 to 34. Medal 31 reads "MAXIMILIANUS JOSEPHUS REX BOJOARIAE" (Maximilian Joseph, King of Bavaria). Medals 32 and 33 carry German legends, partly miscut, naming Maximilian Joseph as King of Bavaria, medal 30 a German legend naming Ludwig, King of Bavaria, and the silver medal 34 a German legend for bravery.

The plate comes from Ordres de Chevalerie et Marques d'Honneur, published by Auguste Wahlen and issued in Brussels by the Librairie Historique-Artistique, rue de Schaerbeek, 12, in 1844. Auguste Wahlen was the pen name of the Belgian writer Jean-François-Nicolas Loumyer (1801 to 1875), whose title page lists his own knighthoods in orders of Prussia, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Hanover, Greece, the Roman States, Saxe-Coburg and Brazil.

The gold and silver medals against the light and dark ribbons give a clean, balanced plate that suits a simple mat.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.