Description: WWII Czechoslovakia Lg. Medallion Stalin-Benes-Churchill-Roosevelt Stalin-Benes-Churchill-Roosevelt by unknown plaster medallion circa 1945 16 in. diameter (410 mm diameter) 7 lbs (3.2 kg). Sitters Joseph Stalin (1878-1953), General Secretary of the Soviet Union. Edvard Benes (1884-1948), President of Czechoslovakia . Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965), Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Franklin Roosevelt (1882-1945), President of the United States. This medallion was purchased in Czechoslovakia a little over a year after the Velvet Revolution had brought Czechoslovakia out of Soviet control (1991). The geometry and subject matter is unique as I've been unable to locate any similar medallions. Because Churchill left office in 1945 and Roosevelt passed away the same year, I believe this medallion was created in 1945, shortly after the European surrender of the Germans as this lagged Roosevelt 's death by a month. It is certain that this medallion was issued before 1948 as this is when President Benes of Czechoslovakia lost his life because of the Soviet coup that brought the future citizens of The Czech Republic and Slovakia under communist control for over forty years. This medallion has a Soviet Realism, more so a utilitarian, style. The medallion reads, "SPOLOCNE SME ZVITAZILI A SPOLOCNE UDRZIME MIER" around the outer edge. English translation would be essentially, "Together we won and together peace will be maintained." Flags of the USSR , Czechoslovakia , United States and Great Britain are fanned out in the center, with busts of each leader on the compass points with their individual names below each respective bust. Very interesting is the way the busts are laid out with Stalin and Roosevelt facing each other on the horizontal with Benes on top and facing Stalin while Churchill is on bottom, facing Roosevelt . The author(s) of this medallion gave a lot of thought to communicate the political environment while still celebrating the tenuous relationship that maintained peace. Along the inside edge, framing Roosevelt 's profile is a final inscription, "Z VDACNOSTI INVALIDOV". This indicates that the medallion may have been a presentation piece or perhaps a commemorative item as it translates to "with gratitude of the handicapped." These "handicapped" individuals may have been war veterans. Nothing else indicates why the medallion was made or what it was intended for; however, probably this was made by a factory that hired handicapped people, run by government and it was a gift to the communistic party, could be for a birthday or a special memorial holiday, etc.... It could also be a gift for the first of May, Feast of Workers, many similar gifts would been given to the leaders of socialistic party by the representatives of different factories. The only other comment about this medallion is that it was cast with a slot in the top, rear indicating clearly that this was intended to be hung on the wall. This medallion was made with a soft plaster which had been painted silver at some point in its history (perhaps it was originally and has simply had touch-ups). Either way, letters near the edges show wear and/or repair at various locations previous to the most recent painting. Since this medallion was acquired by its current owner, it has NOT been painted and remains in the condition it was found at that time. Additionally, various location of ware along the edge and on ridges are notable as raw plaster is being exposed. In general, though, this medallion is completely legible, and the four busts are particularly crisp and well done.
Price: 315 USD
Location: Lakeland, Florida
End Time: 2025-02-02T03:15:52.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
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Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Subject: Politics
Style: Russian, Realism
