France. NATATION. By Claude Mascaux (1882-1965). Pair of medals: Bronze 50mm, 23.5mm. Some glue residue on the reverse of each. $175. Sorry, SOLD (July, 2023)

This medal is from a series of medals created by Mascaux, related to various sporting events, for the Art exhibition held at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. He departed from the traditional representation of the events and selected various animals to capture the essence of each sport. His designs are discussed in an article in the February 1924 issue of Art et Décoration.

Léon-Claude Mascaux was born in Saine-Germain-en-Lay (Yvelines) on June 13 1882,  He studied under the sculptors Landowski and Bouchard. He first exhibited at the Salon of the Société des Beaux Arts in 1921. In 1924 he won a medal in the artistic comptetion of the Olumpic Games. In the following year he won a Grand Prix at the Exposition des Arts Déoratifs et Industriels Moderns for a series seven sports-themed medals. Unlike his contemporaries, he eschewed the reducing machine and cut his models directly into the plaster in the actual size of his intended medals. His medals typically reflect a strong Art Deco style. Mascaux died at Fontainebleau on March 8 1965.