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Large 1893 Franco-Russian Alliance Bronze Medal – Russian Fleet Visit To Toulon – By J.C. Chaplain – Diakov 1087.1
Large and historically important French bronze medal commemorating the visit of the Imperial Russian Squadron to Toulon on October 13, 1893 — one of the defining ceremonial events leading to the Franco-Russian Alliance before World War I.
Designed by celebrated French medallist Jules-Clément Chaplain, among the most important medal engravers of the Belle Époque period and official medallist of the French Republic.
This substantial cabinet medal is cataloged as:
Diakov 1087.1 (R2)
Referenced in Mikhail Diakov’s standard reference Medals of the Russian Empire. �
Numista + 1
The medal commemorates the celebrated arrival of the Russian fleet in Toulon in 1893, an event that symbolized the strengthening diplomatic and military relationship between Imperial Russia and France after decades of shifting European alliances. The ceremonies in Toulon were greeted with enormous public enthusiasm in France and became one of the symbolic foundations of the future Franco-Russian Alliance.
Obverse: Conjoined allegorical female heads representing France and Russia above clasped hands, symbolizing political friendship and alliance.
Reverse: Standing Marianne welcoming the Russian fleet entering Toulon harbor, with Russian Imperial double-headed eagle and inscription:
“VISITE DE L’ESCADRE RUSSE A TOULON 13 OCTOBRE 1893”
Signed: J.C. CHAPLAIN
Edge marked: BRONZE
Diameter: approximately 70 mm
Weight: approximately 148 grams
Material: bronze
Condition: Original antique surface and patina with visible age-related oxidation and areas of verdigris consistent with late 19th century bronze medals. Strong high-relief detail remains throughout. Uncleaned original condition.
An excellent piece for collectors of:
Imperial Russian memorabilia
Franco-Russian Alliance history
French medals
Belle Époque art
naval history
political and diplomatic historical artifacts
Comparable examples are held in museum and numismatic collections. �
