Presented to Chinese Diplomat Ou-Tsong-Lien

448, Lot: 619. Estimate $150. Sold for $280. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

FRANCE, Provincial. Saint-Etienne. Chambre de Commerce. AR Medal (62mm, 109.10 g, 12h). By E. Peynot. Presented to Ou-Tsong-Lien, late 19th century. Female figure standing right, holding bundle of robes; to left, a second female figure dancing, waving ribbon above her head; to right, male figure seated left on anvil, resting hand on hammer; mining headframes in background / CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE DE SAINT ETIENNE, tablet inscribed OU-TSONG-LIEN set over array of tools and olive branches; coat-of-arms below; in margin, ribbon inscribed PAX LABOR. Toned. Near EF. Ex Heritage ANA Sale (30 July 1997), lot 6733.

The appearance of a Chinese name on a late 19th century French medal is somewhat remarkable. A brief search suggests that Ou-Long-Tsien was a Qing dynasty diplomat primarily active in London, and perhaps also the author of a Chinese translation of parts of Dante’s Divine Comedy.