Artwork Details
- Title
- William Lawrence Saunders Award for Achievement in Mining (obverse)
- Artist
- Founder
- Medallic Art Company
- Date
- ca. 1927
- Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 3 1⁄2 x 2 3⁄4 in. (8.9 x 7.0 cm)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Mrs. Anthony de Francisci
- Mediums
- Mediums Description
- white metal
- Classifications
- Keywords
- Object — foliage — olive branch
- Object — other — torch
- Object — other — wreath
- Object Number
- 1966.51.88
Artwork Description
William Lawrence Saunders was the 1915 president of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, a chairman of Ingersoll Rand Company, and deputy chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. This award, known today as the William Lawrence Saunders Gold Medal, was established in 1927 and recognizes achievement in mining other than coal. The reverse of Anthony de Francisci’s artist’s strike, or sample, features the name of the first honoree and a pair of crossed hammers, symbol of ore mining. The victory torch at left evokes the smelting of ores in the mills, another process for which this award has also been given.