Exonumia Auction - Maine Antique Digest

Miscellaneous Tokens and MedalsMarqusee 256. 72.2mm. Bronze. Deep hematite red patina. PaulManship, Sc. Choice Uncirculated. (MACO). The obverse bears ahead of Dionysus rising from a kylix (a classical Greek drinkingcup). The two line legend reads: HAIL TO DIONYSUS WHOFIRST DISCOVERED/ THE MAGIC OF THE GRAPE. On thereverse, two satyrs dance out the vintage flanked by bunches ofgrapes.DECEMBER 10 TH 1930. (F-G)Lot 469Struck in the middle of the Prohibition era, this medal did not gounnoticed. According the Harry Rand, “The Society of Medalistssecond issue produced an uproar, caused by the gentlest tempest inan otherwise occupied teacup. Manship’s 1930 salute to Bacchuspresented the god of wine and debauchery rather too attractivelyfor some of its viewers. Protests were received from members ofthe Society of Medalists and one member threatened to resign if‘any more insults to the Constitution are perpetrated in the nameof art’.” Manship stated, “So, on the reverse of the medal, twosatyrs are treading the winepress. Their stupid faces, pointed ears,goat legs and tails, betray the dominance of animal instincts whichtheir master Dionysus exemplifies. The medal is not conventional.It is subtly humorous, and is symbolic of a present-day attitudetoward certain restraints of the times. Thus it is commemorative ofan era.” This was the 2 nd issue of the Society of Medalists. (G)Lot 470470. HAIL TO DIONYSUS, 1930. Alexander SOM 2.2; Murtha 265;H136Lot 471 (reduced)471. MASSACHUSETTS BAY TERCENTENARY ENDICOTT