MOERIKOFER, JOHANN KASPAR (Swiss). Medallist and Coinengraver, born at Frauenfeld, 7. November 1738, died at Berne, circa 1800. He was a nephew of Johann Melchior Mörikofer, with whom he was first apprenticed. Later he visited Paris and for some years practised gem-engraving and die-sinking there, until he was called back to Berne, on the death of his uncle, Easter 1761, to fill the vacant post of Engraver of the coins of the Republic (1761-1790). By this clever artist were probably cut the following coins of Berne : Al. 4 Ducats, undated (signed : MK) ; — 3 Ducats, 1772; — 2 Ducats, 1771, 1788-89; — Ducats, 1788-89 ; — Quarter Ducats, 1766, 1771, 1777-78, 1781; — AR. 10 Batzen, 1773-74 ; — 5 Batzen 1764, 1766, 1768, 1776-77,. 1786-87; — 2 1/2 Batzen, 1764- 65, 1776-78, 1787, 1790; — Batzen, 1765-66, 1770, 1772, 1774- 76, 1778-79, 1784-85, 1788-90; — Half Batzen, 1770-72, 1774- 78, 1784-85, 1788; — Kreuzers, 1765, 1772, 1774-77, 1779-81, 1785, 1789; — Half Kreuzers, 1762-66, 1769, 1771, 1774-75, 1777-78, 1780-81, 1785-86, 1788-90. Among the medals I have come across by him are : Prize Medals of the State of Zurich (several varieties, said to have been designed by Salomon Gessner, and signed on obv. and R. J. C. MK. F.); — Medal of the Corporation " zur Safran " at Zurich, 1774 (illustrated); — " Sechzehnerpfenning " of the City and Republic of Berne, undated (a Medal of Reward for services); — "Sechzehnerpfenning" of Berne, 1765 (ex. : SENAT. ET XVI. VIRI STAT. ? EXTER. BERN. | 1765.); — Another, dated 1766; — Various School Prize Medals; — School Prize Medal of Burgdorf (Psalmenpfenning), undated (circ. 1772, sev. var.) ; — Prize Medal of the Bernese Agricultural Society, founded by Tschiffeli, 1759 (signed : Mörikofer F.) ; — Portrait-medal of Johann Melchior Mörikofer, 1757, reproduced in Domanig, Die Deutsche Medaille, n° 380 (signed : I. CASP. MÖRIKOFER.) ; — Portrait-medal of Catherine II. the Great (the best of all the Portrait-medals of that famous Czarina) ; — School Prize Medals of Mellingen and Bremgarten, undated (signed : M); — Portrait-medal of King Stanislaus Augustus of Poland ; — Count Caylus; — Christian Gellert (1715-1769); — Portrait-medal of Joseph I., King of Portugal; R. DEUS VLTOR ET TVTOR. J. C. Mörikofer was a distinguished, consciencious and modest artist. Bibliography. — Bolzenthal, op. cit. — Haller, Schweizer Münz und Medaillen Cabinet, Bern, 1780. — J. A. Pupikofer, Der Kanton Thurgau, 1855. — J. C. Fuesslin, Geschichte der besten Künstler der Schweiz, Zurich, 1774. — Nagler, op. cit. — C. Brun, Schweiz. Künstlerlexikon. — Bulletin & Revue suisses de numismatique. — Tobler-Meyer, op. cit. — Franks & Grueber, op. cit. — Jenner, Münzen der Schweiz, 1901. — Poole, Swiss Coins in the South Kensington Museum, 1878. — Raczynski, Dictionnaire historico-artistique du Portugal. — Demanig, Die Deutsche Medaille, 1907.
Source: Biographical dictionary of medallists; coin, gem, and seal-engravers, mint-masters, ancient and modern, with references to their works B.C. 500-A.D. 1900; compiled by L. Forrer, London 1904
Source: Biographical dictionary of medallists; coin, gem, and seal-engravers, mint-masters, ancient and modern, with references to their works B.C. 500-A.D. 1900; compiled by L. Forrer, London 1904
MESDACH, LOUIS
MESDACH, LOUIS (Dutch). One of the Directors of the important Die-sinking establishments of OESCHGER, MESDACH & C° (q. v.) later (1881) ESCHGER, GHESQUI?RE & Cie, at Ter Kiele (Holland) and Biache (Pas-de-Calais, France). At one time, this firm owned private mints in Spain, and between circ. 1865-1890, issued medals as well as various coinages in commission for foreign governments. In 1868 the artist Alphée Dubois was in their employ, and during a year's residence at Barcelona, modelled for the...
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MESDACH, LOUIS (Dutch). One of the Directors of the important Die-sinking establishments of OESCHGER, MESDACH & C° (q. v.) later (1881) ESCHGER, GHESQUI?RE & Cie, at Ter Kiele (Holland) and Biache (Pas-de-Calais, France). At one time, this firm owned private mints in Spain, and between circ. 1865-1890, issued medals as well as various coinages in commission for foreign governments. In 1868 the artist Alphée Dubois was in their employ, and during a year's residence at Barcelona, modelled for the...
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METELLES, GOTTFRIED WILHELM
METELLES, GOTTFRIED WILHELM (Germ.). Mint-engraver and Medallist, at Minden, circ. 1690-1711; then at Koenigsberg (Prussia), 1711-1724. His coins are usually signed : M; — G. M. ; or G. W. M. The Berlin Mint-engraver Friedrich Marl also signed M. By him are: Minden Gulden of Frederick I., 1705-6; Half Gulden, 1705; 1/12 Thalers, 1705-1706; — Koenigsberg Coronation Ducats, 1701 ; Ducats of Frederick William I, 1713-1722 (every year), &c. The artist's initials G. M. occur on a Half Batzen of Frede...
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METELLES, GOTTFRIED WILHELM (Germ.). Mint-engraver and Medallist, at Minden, circ. 1690-1711; then at Koenigsberg (Prussia), 1711-1724. His coins are usually signed : M; — G. M. ; or G. W. M. The Berlin Mint-engraver Friedrich Marl also signed M. By him are: Minden Gulden of Frederick I., 1705-6; Half Gulden, 1705; 1/12 Thalers, 1705-1706; — Koenigsberg Coronation Ducats, 1701 ; Ducats of Frederick William I, 1713-1722 (every year), &c. The artist's initials G. M. occur on a Half Batzen of Frede...
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MEUNIER, CONSTANTIN
MEUNIER, CONSTANTIN (Belg.). Painter and Sculpfor, born at Etterbeek, 12. April 1831, died in 1905. His first teacher was the engraver J. B. Meunier. He has obtained numerous distinctions at International Exhibitions. He was an Officer of the Order of Leopold. Many of his bas-reliefs are in the style of Plaques, and some have even been reduced to that size, as La Gl?be, Monument au Travail, and others. The Plaquette of the Société royale belge des Aquarellistes' is by this artist, and was struc...
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MEUNIER, CONSTANTIN (Belg.). Painter and Sculpfor, born at Etterbeek, 12. April 1831, died in 1905. His first teacher was the engraver J. B. Meunier. He has obtained numerous distinctions at International Exhibitions. He was an Officer of the Order of Leopold. Many of his bas-reliefs are in the style of Plaques, and some have even been reduced to that size, as La Gl?be, Monument au Travail, and others. The Plaquette of the Société royale belge des Aquarellistes' is by this artist, and was struc...
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MEYBUSCH, ANTON
MEYBUSCH, ANTON (Germ.). Medallist, said to have been of German origin, but I should suspect Dutch, as the Engraver sometimes signed himself Meijbus. He was probably born at Copenhagen, where he first studied, and learned the art of die-sinking. Between 1667 and 1677, he was, according to Nagler, engaged in medallic work for Christian V. of Denmark; after 1676 he went over to Stockholm and produced there numerous medals of Charles XI. and Queen Ulrica Eleonora. In 1684 he was invited to France...
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MEYBUSCH, ANTON (Germ.). Medallist, said to have been of German origin, but I should suspect Dutch, as the Engraver sometimes signed himself Meijbus. He was probably born at Copenhagen, where he first studied, and learned the art of die-sinking. Between 1667 and 1677, he was, according to Nagler, engaged in medallic work for Christian V. of Denmark; after 1676 he went over to Stockholm and produced there numerous medals of Charles XI. and Queen Ulrica Eleonora. In 1684 he was invited to France...
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