Physical Description

A smooth circular medal with a raised edge, constructed of gold. The obverse features the left-facing portrait of Duke Carl August in a uniform, with the circular inscription ‘CAROLUS AUGUSTUS DUX SAXONIAE’ (‘Carl August Duke of Saxony’). Below the arm is the stamp cutter’s signature ‘F’. The reverse features a laurel wreath, tied at the bottom by a ribbon, with the inscription ‘PROTECTORI BONARUM ARTIUM’ (‘patron of fine arts’) in the centre. On a loop for suspension, on a red ribbon.

History

The Merit Medal PROTECTORI BONARUM ARTIUM was produced on the initiative of medalist F. W. Facius in 1811 in gold, silver, and bronze. He gifted Grand Duke Carl August a gold and a silver medal. The grand duke eventually began to award the medals, probably in 1816, for merit in the fields of arts and science.