Beautiful but unknown French medal.

[Duncan]

Hello, sorry, I know this isn't a war medal, but it's beautiful. Trouble is I know nothing about it. Does anyone know what it is and what it would have been awarded for?

Regards, Duncan

[Duncan]

7 hours ago, Simius Rex said:

This medal was awarded to Louis-Felix Braillard in the Baby Competition of 1909 held in the town of Montrouge. 

 

These competitions were open to children from one month to five years of age and began in Paris in 1880.  They were so successful that provincial towns such as Montrouge began holding these events as well.

 

The winners were selected from among the most physically attractive and well-behaved children and they were presented with prizes such as this medal, certificates, diplomas, savings bank books, photography coupons, etc. 

 

The main reason behind this competition, however, was to expose the children's parents to a series of lectures on the importance of good hygiene and proper nutrition to help reduce infant mortality. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's fascinating, thank you.

[Rusty Greaves]

The name of the French medallist who designed this is on the obverse, "F. VERNON" - Frédéric-Charles-Victor de Vernon (1858-1912). A brief bibliographic outline of his career is available on Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frédéric-Charles-Victor_de_Vernon) and several images of some of his other medal designs can also be readily accessed online. 

 

 

Frédéric-Charles-Victor de Vernon (unknown photographier, unknown date, from: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/Charles-Frédéric_Victor_Vernon.jpg)

[Duncan]

Thank you for the information, really interesting.