The National Sculpture Society
The National Sculpture Society has a long and storied history. Founded in 1893 by Henry Adams and a group of his fellow sculptors, the Society had the mission of
"spread[ing] the knowledge of good sculpture, foster[ing] the taste for, and encourag[ing] the production of ideal sculpture for the household, and promot[ing] the decoration of public buildings" in America.
Very quickly the newly formed Society gathered the elite of the American sculptural world: Augustus Saint-Gaudens, James Earle Fraser, Victor D. Brenner, Adolph Weinman, Hermon MacNeil, and many others. During the first half of the 20th century, the Society came to be strongly associated with "classical" rather than "modern" sculpture. This meant that the NSS was a natural gathering place for medallic sculptors because that medium was regarded as traditional and old-fashioned by the modernists. Many of the sculptors represented on this website were members of the NSS.
Today, the National Sculpture Society still "promotes excellence in sculpture that is inspired by the natural world" as a 501(c)(3) organization, meaning that your support would be not only welcome but also tax-deductable.
The National Sculpture Society awards many prizes for excellence in different sculptural fields. Several of the prizes have been associated with beautiful medals, so make sure to check out the Medals tab.
The obverse bears an outstretched hand on which a nude kneels with outstretched arms, in offering stance. The reverse bears two concentric rings of legend: NATIONAL SCULPTURE SOCIETY / FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY.
The 50th Anniversary dinner of the National Sculpture Society was held in New York City in 1943. Every guest received a medal that was laid out for them at their place.
The complete records of the NSS were in storage at the time of my inquiry but a very helpful staff member did some research anyway and provided me with an excerpt of the minutes of a meeting on February 15, 1943 which states:
Mr. Adams suggested that at the Dinner, some commemorative thing, such as a coin cast in silver, made by the Medallic Art Company be placed at each place and that this be added to the cost of the dinner. Mr. De Lue was asked to make a relief for this coin.
The edge marking on the medal indeed reads STERLING / GOLD PLATE. While only hints of the gold plating remain on my own example of this medal, it is still a glorious sight in plain silver.
The obverse bears the figures of a bearded old man, Pegasus, and a young man, who holds laurel in his proper right hand. The horse Pegasus represents Genius and the old man represents Wisdom. Around, HERBERT ADAMS / MEMORIAL AWARD. The reverse of the medal shows a lamp with a flame. The lamp's handle is a horse's neck and head. Across, PRESENTED / BY THE / NATIONAL SCULPTURE / SOCIETY TO / FOR THE ADVANCEMENT / OF SCULPTURE / THOMAS LOMEDICO
Lo Medico's design won first prize in the National Sculpture Society's competition for this medal in 1946. The medal is awarded annually to an individual who has advanced American sculpture.
This medal's obverse bears Pegasus in flight above buildings representing historical landmarks in architecture; from left to right, the Sphinx, the Parthenon, the Coliseum, and skyscrapers with two eagles perched on top. The buildings rest on overlapping branches growing from architects' and sculptors' tools in exergue. Around top, NATIONAL - SCULPTURE - SOCIETY; over Sphinx, 3500 B.C.; over Parthenon, 438 B.C., over Coliseum, 80 A.D.; on sky scraper, 20 / CENTURY; above exergue, HENRY HERING / MEMORIAL MEDAL
The reverse bears conjoined eagles, one with wings spread, both perching on plinth; oak branches on both sides. At top, LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE MEN / MATT 5:16; across, AWARDED AS A MARK OF DISTINCTION / FOR OUTSTANDING COOPERATION / BETWEEN ARCHITECT AND SCULPTOR; signed in exergue to left and right of plinth, ALBINO - MANCA
The National Sculpture Society's Henry Hering Memorial Award (or Henry Hering Art and Architecture Award as it is now called) was created in 1959 and is awarded for excellence in an architectural project in which the architect collaborated with the sculptor and owner of a site. The medal is not given annually; it is awarded when the circumstance arises. Originally, there were three categories: regligious, monumental, and commercial. The jury is composed of three sculptors and two architects.
The award is named for Henry Hering (1874-1949), a brilliant architectural sculptor who had a studio in New York but whose most famous works are mainly located in the mid-west.
One interesting anecdote about Hering involves a plane crash in 1945. A military B-25 had crashed into the Empire State Building. While most of the wreckage had either embedded itself in the building or fallen to the ground, one engine continued on its way for several blocks and finally ended its voyage in Henry Hering's penthouse, destroying approximately $75,000 worth of work.
This particular medal was awarded for work in the religious category in 1961. The project was the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The recipients were Eugene F. Kennedy, Jr. of Maginnis Walsh & Kennedy (the Boston architect) and Francis Cardinal Spellman representing the Catholic Church (the owner). The same year, Paul Manship won the award in the monumental category, along with Eric Gugler of Gugler, Kimball & Husted for the American war memorial at Anzio-Nettuno in Italy.
The circular medal measures 76.6mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. Many thanks to Lorraine Burns for the beautiful pictures and the sleuthing involved in tracking down this particular medal's detailed history.
References: MACo 1959-031
The obverse bears the muse of art riding facing Pegasus flanked by eagle and owl. Above, NATIONAL SCULPTURE SOCIETY; across, 1893 - 1968; below, SEVENTYFIFTH ANNIVERSARY. The reverse bears hands grasping sculptor's tools before rough pylon. Around, TO - FURTHER - THE - SCULPTURAL - HERITAGE; below, © 1968 NSS; signed MG under open hand.
While the obverse of this medal was designed by Thomas LoMedico, the reverse was designed and signed by Margaret Grigor.
The obverse bears an outstretched hand on which a nude kneels with outstretched arms, in offering stance. The reverse bears two concentric rings of legend: NATIONAL SCULPTURE SOCIETY / NINETIETH ANNIVERSARY.
The 90th Anniversary dinner of the National Sculpture Society was held in New York City on May 17, 1983. Every guest received a medal that was laid out for them at their place.
The complete records of the NSS were in storage at the time of my inquiry but a very helpful staff member did some research anyway and informed me that is virtually certain that the obverse of this medal is a reprise of the 50th Anniversary medal that was issued in 1943. While the American Numismatic Society attributes this medal to Robert Weinman, the minutes of a meeting on February 15, 1943 state:
Mr. Adams suggested that at the Dinner, some commemorative thing, such as a coin cast in silver, made by the Medallic Art Company be placed at each place and that this be added to the cost of the dinner. Mr. De Lue was asked to make a relief for this coin.
The minutes of a meeting on May 11, 1982 include the following:
Ms. Dunwiddie announced that Donald De Lue's 50th Anniversary medal will be restruck with a blank reverse suitable for engraving and presentation as our 90th Anniversary medal. Mr. De Lue has agreed to this use.
This uniface medal bears a Janus-faced bust, classic, older and bearded face left, younger and clean-shaven face right. Above heads, 1893; below, 1993; across, NATI - ONAL / SCULP - TURE / SOC - IETY; signed over lower year number, (PV monogram)
The edge is marked BRONZE.
Patricia Verani won the competition for this medal in 1992 which put her in very good company: earlier anniversary medals had been designed by such greats as Donald de Lue, Thomas LoMedico and Margaret Grigor.
The medal subtly hints at how the NSS understands itself: the classical tradition in the past, the youthful outlook in the future, combined in one whole. The year numbers are on a wood-textured background which alludes to Society's belief in sculpture that is inspired by the natural world.
The oval medal measures 77mm x 53mm and was struck in bronze.