Weekly Impression Dies

A profile of a beautiful woman in profile. She has a strong silhouette, a Mona Lisa smile, and her hair descends in an art nouveau fashion to form a jump ring for hanging stones. From the Frank Morrow Co. (est. 1929 in Providence, RI).

The riveted back of a mid-sized padlock. Acquired from Gold Machinery, origin unknown.

This nouveau vignette depicts Demeter, the Greek goddess of agriculture. She is notably depicted with a sickle and poppies, the symbols of her domain and her cult myth respectively. Hub from Paris, France.

This die comes from Paris, France. Made in the early 1900's

Brennus was the leader of the Senones, a Gaulish tribe that expanded into Northern Italy. In circa 387 BCE, he successfully defeated the Romans at the Battle of Allia and occupied the city of Rome, making Brennan the only non-Roman to conquer the city in the 800 years of Roman empirical history before the Empire's fall in 410 AD.

This impression die depicts an unknown warrior with wavy hair and a winged helmet. From Ru-Mart Toolcraft in Providence, Rhode Island.

Original design by Armand Bargas, Paris, France. The impression die depicts a woman and a crowing rooster, with the word "Aurore" (Dawn) engraved below them. This design was part of a series designed by Bargas representing different times of day. The series also includes Jour (Day), Crepuscule (Twilight), and Nuit (Night).

This impression die is part of a series by Armand Bargas made in Paris, France in the late 19th century. The word "Mignon" is written along the top right side. "Mignon" in French connotative a person who is pretty and petite, and can be used as a pet name in France the way "cutie" might be used in English.

Late 1800s Jour (Day) by Armand Bargas. Stamped Inside the Top Right of the Edge is "Jour" - Day ~ Stamped Below Jour is Bargas' Signature "ABargas." This is part of a medallion series depicting personifications of the time of day including Jour (Day), Nuit (Night), Aurore (Dawn), and Crepuscule (Dusk).

This 19th century French impression die design depicts a woman with irises in the art nouveau style, Kevin Potter's favorite style.

This impression die made corset and shoe hooks. From Whiting & Davis.

Late 1800s Nuit (Night) by Armand Bargas. Stamped Inside the Top Right of the Edge is "Nuit" - Darkness ~ Stamped Below is Bargas' Signature "ABargas." From a series of medallions depicting personifications of the times of day: Aurore (Dawn), Jour (Day), Crepuscle (Dusk), and Nuit (Night).

Late 1800s Crepuscle (Twilight) by Armand Bargas. Stamped Inside the Top Right of the Edge is "CREPUSCLE" - Twilight ~ Stamped Below Crepuscle is Bargas' Signature "ABargas" Part of a series of medallions depicting personifications of the times of day: Jour (Day), Aurore (Dawn), Crepuscle (Dusk), and Nuit (Night).

Original design by Armand Bargas, Paris, France. This design was part of a four-part series designed by Bargas representing the four elements of earth, air, fire and water.

Personification of the element of air. Original design by Armand Bargas, Paris, France. This design was part of a four-part series designed by Bargas representing the four elements of earth, air, fire and water.

Text in Design: Gallæ custos honoris vendix, "Gallia, guardian of honor, the defender. French 1900s.

This locket or compact case comes from Paris, France.

From Villemin in Paris, France.

This came from Alling & Company out of Newark, New Jersey.

This medallion was carved by the famous 19th century French artist Marie Alexandre Lucien Coudray in 1893-1899 while staying in Rome. The medallion, which is featured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicts the myth of Orpheus escaping the underworld without his love, Eurydice. Patinated iron medallion photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

A medal depicting someone wearing a sash, a distant castle in the background. The French for "Old Heidelberg" is engraved on the bottom, next to the signature for Armand Bargas, "ABargas." This is the name of a play and operetta from the early 20th century, and it's perhaps related. The play is about Prince Karl of Saxony, who falls in love with an innkeeper's daughter while studying at Heidelberg University. Likely, the figure in the medal is Prince Karl.

A female knight with windblown hair from 19th century Paris, France. From Villemin.

From Janvier Gruson.

This locket or compact case comes from Janvier Gruson.

This 1800s French medallion depicts a Valkyrie of Norse legend. The word "Walkyrie," an alternative spelling of Valkyrie, is written across the top. Similar to our Ophélie impression die, it is made in the style of Armand Bargas, but lacks his usual signature, so we cannot safely say it was made by him.

From the Armand Bargas collection (1800s Paris, France), this die has the word "Eau" (Water) engraved on the bottom of the wave. This is part of a series depicting the elements with Terre (Earth), Air (Air), and Feu (Fire).

This impression die depicts Shakespeare's Opheliea surrounded by floating flowers and ripples of river water, and has the French version of Ophelia, "Ophélie" written in the top left corner. The design is made in the same style as Armand Bargas' popular medallions, but it does not include his initials in the design -- his usual signature -- so we don't believe this medallion is by Bargas. From Paris, France

Turn-of-the-century French impression die from the seasons collection. It depicts a beautiful woman with a top bun surrounded by flowers. The French word for spring, printemps, is in the top right corner. Potentially an Armand Bargas medal, but lacks his signature.

This art nouveau impression die from 19th century Paris, France features a woman adorned with a veil and holly leaves. The French word for Winter, "Hiver," is engraved on the left side of the design. This medallion was part of a series of seasonal medallions. This particular medallion also has a smaller version. Previously named "Parisian Winter."

This jewelry hub depicts a woman with stars in her hair that flows like the rings of Saturn. It comes from late 19th-century Paris, France. It was originally used to make silver and bronze pins and hair accessories.

This impression die depicts a long-bearded Viking in a horned helmet, wearing a coat made of feathers. It might depict any Norse or Viking figure. This die has a smaller version sold separately.