France. MARCEL DAMMANN, medallist and sculptor. By João Da Silva (1880-1960). Bronze 59mm. $75. Sorry, SOLD

João Da Silva was born in Lisbon on December 1 1880. He studied in France under Jules Clément Chaplain. He exhibited in Paris until 1926 and won an honorable mention at the Universal Exposition in 1900. He gained a reputation as a sculptor of animals and was acclaimed in Portugal, Brazil and France. He was responsible for revitalizing medallic art in Portugal. Da Silva died in 1960.

Paul-Marcel Dammann, sculptor and medallist was born on June 13, 1885, at Montgerm. He studied under Chaplain. In 1908 he won the Premier Grand Prix de Rome for medal engraving. In 1928 he won a medal of honor at the Salon and was made a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in the following year. He designed a number of coins for foreign governments. Dammann died in 1939.