Ancient, Celtic, British and World Coins, Tokens, Coin Weights and Historical Medals

France, Helen, a large uniface silvered bronze plaque, by René Gregoire, c. 1900, standing figure of a slender young woman in a diaphanous but elaborately decorated dress, her breasts exposed, and wearing a diadem and veil, gazing at naked man prostrate on his back at her feet among skulls and other human remains; antique ruins and monuments in the distance; ELENI in exergue, 175 x 118mm (cf. PBE 470, for a smaller format plaquette). Extremely fine but slightly discoloured, a powerful image of very clever workmanship, rare (£300-350)

The Greek legend translates “Eleni”. This and the Hellenistic hairstyle clearly indicate the female figure is intended to represent the legendary beauty Helen of Troy. See Plate II for illustration,