A rare and impressive award SILVER medal struck for the Exhibition of Crafts, Industry, Agriculture and Forestry in Cieszyn (Teschen), held in 1880.
The exhibition was an important economic and social event in 19th-century Cieszyn Silesia, showcasing the achievements of local crafts, industry, agriculture and forestry. Exhibitions of this kind, characteristic of the period of rapid industrialization within the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, promoted modern technologies, local entrepreneurship and the exchange of knowledge and experience among manufacturers and craftsmen. Medals awarded at such exhibitions represented prestigious distinctions for participants and exhibitors.
The medal was created by Josef Christlbauer, a Viennese medallist and manufacturer of decorations, whose workshop produced numerous award and commemorative medals for exhibitions and organizations throughout the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.
A beautifully preserved medal with outstanding in-hand eye appeal and a superbly displayed Silesian eagle.
Obverse: heraldic emblem of Cieszyn Silesia, an Eagle with a band across its wings and a cross in the middle of its chest, surrounded by the traditional 19th-century symbolism of triumph
Reverse: seated personification of Industry and Technology in classical attire, resting his hand on a shield with a caduceus, in the other hand he holds a laurel wreath, in the section the date 1880 and the signatures PRÄGUNG VJ CHRISTLBAUER and WEITZENMAYER
SCHLESISCHE GEWERBE INDUSTRIE-LAND-U. FORSTWIRTHSCHAFTL., AUSSTELLUNG TESCHEN
Silver, diameter 59 mm, weight 78.52 g
