The Silich Collection of Historical and Art Medals (Part I)

FRANCE, Compagnie Générale de Navigation, Bonnardel Frès, c. 1910, a silver medal by J. Armand-Calliat, paddle-barge on the River Rhône at Avignon, the Pont Saint-Bénezet and town seen from the Île de Barthelasse in background, rev. seated female figure holding rudder, lion standing by her feet, the borders represented by life-belts with ropes around, 70mm, 183.62g (BDM –) [2]. Artist’s signature erased on both sides, otherwise very fine and toned, very rare £90-£120

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Silich Collection of Historical and Art Medals.

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Collection

DNW Auction 51, 4 October 2001, lot 1269 (part); DNW Auction 55, 24-5 June 2003, lot 1548 (part); Baldwin Auction 75, 26 September 2012, lot 1997

Jean-Marie Bonnardel (1848-1924), scion of the Rhône-based family trading and shipping business established in the sixteenth century, became a director of the Compagnie Générale de Navigation in April 1870. After a series of takeovers in which he played a major role, exploiting the entire river network from the English Channel to the Mediterranean, the company was renamed Compagnie General Navigation Le Havre-Paris-Lyon-Marseille.