Bronze-finish art medal attributed to Jean Vernon

A circular cast medal, appearing to be made of bronze or a similar copper alloy, featuring a high-relief scene illustrating Jean de La Fontaine’s fable, 'The Raven and the Fox.' The piece depicts a fox looking upward toward a bird perched in a tree. The obverse side bears a signature reading 'JEAN VERNON' on the left edge and the inscription 'LE CORBEAU ET LE RENARD' on the right. Stylistically, the piece is consistent with the Art Deco period of the early 20th century, specifically the works of French medalist Jean de Vernon. The medal exhibits a warm, uneven patina with darker oxidation in the recessed areas and visible surface wear, including small nicks and scratches consistent with handling. The craftsmanship displays a soft, rounded sculptural quality characteristic of cast bronze medals from the interwar period. This attribution remains a hypothesis subject to physical examination, as high-quality replicas or later restrikes of such medals are common and cannot be distinguished from a period piece through an image alone.

I have reviewed the circular cast medal featuring a high-relief depiction of 'The Raven and the Fox.' Based on the visual evidence, the piece bears a signature and stylistic traits consistent with the Art Deco aesthetic of French medalist Jean de Vernon. In the current market for early 20th-century numismatic art, medals of this specific subject and attribution typically command the estimated range of $150 to $350, assuming the piece is a period casting. This valuation is based on the visible surface quality and the popularity of La Fontaine's fables among collectors. From the image alone, I can discern a warm patina and wear patterns suggestive of age, but I cannot verify the specific metal composition or distinguish between an early period casting and a later high-quality restrike. My assessment remains a hypothesis; a physical inspection would be required to analyze the rim for foundry marks or 'BRONZE' stamps which are obscured in the photo. Should the piece be determined to be a modern reproduction or a common later-edition restrike, the market value would likely decrease to approximately $30 - $60. To strengthen this appraisal, I recommend an in-person examination by a specialist to confirm the casting technique and a search for provenance documentation to trace its history. Market demand for French Art Deco medals remains stable, though value is heavily dictated by the crispness of the relief and the presence of a desirable foundry mark, neither of which can be definitively established without handling the object.