Berlin (?) - Cast Iron Antique Medallion With Moulded Frame - Circa 1800

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Framed medallion
Cast iron and ormolu bronze
Dimensions : D. total; D. sight
Berlin, circa 1800 (?)

Circular medallion depicting the ancient philosopher Aratus, in profile to the right. It is set in an ormolu gilt bronze frame with palmettes.

Berlin and decorative cast iron
In 1798, the Royal Foundry of Gleiwitz (Königliche Eisengiesserei Gleiwitz), in Upper Silesia, produced its first enamelled iron jewellery, reflecting a desire to diversify beyond traditional armoury production. The Royal Foundry of Berlin (Königliche Eisengiesserei Berlin) opened in 1804, and an inventory indicates the manufacture of cast-iron jewellery two years later, when Napoleon conquered the city. These two production centres also produced candlesticks, vases, mounted objects, etc. In 1808, Inspector General de Villefosse, impressed by the quality of the German foundries, took away many of their original moulds, including those for cast jewellery, and sent them to France to be studied and used.

This medallion would have belonged to a complete series of framed neoclassical profiles...

Work in comparison : 
Cameo medallion, captioned, "black basalt" by Wedgwood, circa 1800, The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

Condition report: very good colour of the cast, no wear, original frame with no alterations to the gilding.