Lot 262
18ct gold medal - gift for the wife of Marco Pérez Jiménez (1952 - 1958 the 42nd President of Venezuela) for inauguration ceremony of the Centro Simón Bolívar, dated 1954
Works of Art, Antiquities & Ancient Art | A109kua | Live auction | 1190 Lots
Description
Medal in 18ct gold. Obverse with relief view of the Centro Simón Bolívar buildings, and inscription “CENTRO SIMON BOLIVAR CARACAS 2-12-54”. Reverse with view of the buildings and inscription “Dna FLOR CHALBAUD de PEREZ JIMENEZ”. Socket stippled with “18K”. Diameter with socket: 4.9 cm, inner diameter: 4.4 cm, total weight: 75.78 gr. The present piece names Dona Flor Chalbaud de Pérez Jiménez, the wife of General Marco Pérez Jiménez (1914 - 2001), the former President and dictator of Venezuela. He served as the 42nd President of Venezuela from 1952 to 1958. During his time, Caracas was profoundly transformed by large-scale public works, motorways and monumental architecture. One of the most prominent projects was the Centro Simón Bolívar in Caracas depicted here, renowned for its monumental twin towers, today also known as the Torres de El Silencio. The impressed date 2.12.1954 relates to the inauguration of the buildings. This piece may therefore be a personal presentation piece made for the President's wife and presented to her in connection with the opening ceremony, and thus a unique work. The piece is attributed to the goldsmith, sculptor and medallist David Vallmitjana i Vallés, who worked in Caracas from 1946 to 1957. In the year 1950 he was awarded the Venezuelan National Prize for applied art. Among his best-known works is a replica of the sword of Simón Bolívar, commissioned by the Venezuelan government.Condition: I - Questions about the lot?
