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Orphelinat des Armees Medal
Orphelinat des Armees Medal
Orphelinat des Armees Medal

Orphelinat des Armees Medal

Maker
Period1916
MediumStamped brass
Dimensions1.25 × 1.13 in. (3.2 × 2.9 cm)
SignedRobert Hartshorne (1866 - 1927) to his son Richard Hartshorne (1900 - 1958) to his sister Mary "Polly" Minturn Hartshorne Noonan (1897 - 1978) to her daughter to her daughter Mary Ellen Noonan Adams (1922 - 2011) to her daughter and donor Mary Minturn Adams
ClassificationsThe Robert Hartshorne World War I Collection
Credit LineGift of Mary Minturn Adams in memory of her Hartshorne Ancestors, 2018
Object number2018.10.20.14
DescriptionA small rectangular stamped brass medal, depicting a crouching woman in classical draped garments, embracing a small child. Below the figure is the inscription "ORPHELINAT DES ARMEES," ("Army Orphanage"). The signature "R. Lalique" can be seen under the female figure at the far left corner. At the top center of the little medal is a small slotted tab, originally intended for a scrap of ribbon to be worn on a lapel or other garment.
Curatorial RemarksNumerous buttons and badges were produced during the First World War to collect funds for a variety of causes. The subject of war orphans was a particularly poignant cause; it was estimated that as many as 200,000 French children were left orphans or with only one parent. Famed glassmaker and jewelry designer Rene Lalique produced this simple medal to raise money for French orphanages during the war. Designed in 1915 and released in 1916, the medal was sold mainly in New York. Lalique was born in 1860 and studied in France and London. Upon his return to Paris, Lalique began designing jewelry for such firms as Cartier and Boucheron. By 1890 he was celebrated as one of France's leading Art Nouveau jewelers. He embraced the Art Deco style and was responsible for much of the decoration of one of the era's finest luxury liners, the SS Normandie. Lalique died in France in 1945. Robert Hartshorne collected four of these Lalique medals; please see 2018.10.20.30, 2018.10.20.72, and 2018.10.20.75 for the other three.NotesThis medal was collected by Robert Hartshorne during his service in the First World War. Hartshorne joined the American Red Cross in 1916. His association with that organization apparently put him in touch with the American Committee for Devastated France, which intended to introduce modern American farming methods in those battlefield areas heavily damaged near Rheims. Hartshorne arrived in France in May of 1918 and returned to the United States at the end of December the same year. Hartshorne collected numerous medals, uniform insignia, and souvenirs commemorating his time abroad. For a more complete biography of Robert Hartshorne, please see the portrait miniature of Robert Hartshorne (accession number 2018.10.9).
Collections
ProvenanceRobert Hartshorne (1866 - 1927) to his son Richard Hartshorne (1900 - 1958) to his sister Mary "Polly" Minturn Hartshorne Noonan (1897 - 1978) to her daughter to her daughter Mary Ellen Noonan Adams (1922 - 2011) to her daughter and donor Mary Minturn Adams