HORNREICH COLLECTION of U.S. & World Medal Plaques
Artist Unascertained

Owner Comments:

Medal, Plaquette, 1917, Bronze, France (IIIe Republique). PUPILLES DE LA NATION - Wards of the State. Obv. Dead French Soldier Lying in Grave, set into tablet at top of plaque, below a scene of a little boy and girl being cared for by a female, legend below, town in background, sun rising to right, basically an allegory showing the death of the father, the children who will be taken care of by the nation (female figure); Rv. attributed to a "M. Dominici, Membre de la Section de Neuilly". Medallist not ascertained, investigation necessary. 90 mm high. Weight: 126.3 Grams. An outstanding and emotional plaquette showing the affects of war on children and widows, as "pupils de la nation" was actually a status created whenever through war, the main provider was no longer capable of seeing to the needs of their family. A formal request was made by a child or widow's representative to the civil court with a citation that the deceased "Died for France", and the words adopted by the nation was then added to the person's birth certificate. , and the duty of the state to care for them in loss. IIIéme république, Paris,s.d - Plaque des pupilles de la nation. Soldat mort representé en haut laissant deux enfants à la beinveillance de la Nation representée par une femme dans une scène avec village au fond. Purchased in France.