Impressive commemorative medal issued for the Jubilee Trade Exhibition held in Vienna in 1888 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the reign of Emperor Francis Joseph I.
The exhibition was organized by the Lower Austrian Trade Association (Niederösterreichischer Gewerbeverein) and formed part of the celebrations marking four decades since Francis Joseph’s accession to the throne in 1848. The medal reflects the importance attached in the Habsburg Monarchy to the development of crafts, commerce and industry, presenting them allegorically as foundations of the prosperity of the Empire.
The medal was designed by Stephan Schwartz (1851–1924), an important Austrian sculptor and medallist. His signature S. SCHWARTZ appears in the obverse exergue.
Obverse: under a radiant crown, Emperor Franz Joseph I, seated on a throne, on the sides paying homage to him personifications on the left of Trade and Prosperity showering flowers, with a cogwheel and yarn under their feet, and on the right side personifications of Craft and Fame with a laurel wreath and a palm branch, in front of the throne standing a putto in a helmet, holding a cartouche with the three coats of arms of Lower Austria, Austria and Vienna, in the section the signature S SCHWARTZ
Reverse: an inscription in nine lines surrounded by a floral wreath JUBILAEUMS / GEWERBE AUSSTELLUNG / VERANSTALTET VOM / N. OE. GEWERBEVEREINE / ZURFEIER DES / 40. REGIERUNGS JAHRES / SR MAJ. DES KAISERS / FRANZ JOSEF I. / WIEN 1888
Bronze, diameter 64 mm, weight 84.04 g
