Any idea what this French medal was issued for?

[Duncan]

Does anyone have any idea what this little French medal was issued for? Its a nice little thing.

[Michael Johnson]

It appears to be a medal for large families, perhaps a precursor (or maybe a prototype?) to the official medal instituted in May 1920 in three classes. 

[Rusty Greaves]

Several identical images turn up on a number of auctions sites in a search by the image. I cannot vouch for the veracity of these, many descriptions seem spurious.  

 

One description (https://www.rubylane.com/item/1973071-BPLx200100/1920-Vintage-French-Lady-Birds-Signed) states: "1920 Vintage French Lady Girl with Birds Signed Medal Gold Finish Pendant by Artisan M.PAUTOT."; Mark(s): On the front of the pendant, it is signed with "GRAVURE "M PAUTOT" 1920 JOURNÉE NATIONALE AUX FAMILLES NOMBREUSES."

 

This website (https://leoncechenal.com/mothers-day-france/) identifies the date and name as a precursor  to modern Mothers' Day in France (highlighted in bold in this quote): "The history of Mother’s Day in France. The tradition of Mother’s Day dates back to the 19th century when a low birth rate and a declining population became a concern for the French government. Thus, the idea came about to celebrate those mothers who were caring for large families, perhaps to encourage them to continue having more. Although it is said that Napoleon Bonaparte first thought of it in 1806, it didn’t actually take root until the 1890s.

 

In 1918, the city of Lyon celebrated Mother’s Day as a tribute to mothers and wives who lost their sons and husbands during World War I. In 1920, a “journée nationale des mères de familles nombreuses” (a national day of mothers of large families) was established. But it was only in 1926 that the French government formalized a Mother’s Day as part of the birth rate policy encouraged by the Republic.

 

In the 1940s, Marechal Pétain gave more recognition to this celebration. Mothers being put on a pedestal by the Vichy regime, French people were encouraged to celebrate motherhood. After the war, the law of May 24, 1950, was created to dedicate Mothers’ Day as an official tribute to mothers. This law fixed the date for this celebration on the last Sunday in May (unless this date coincides with that of Pentecost, in which case it is postponed to the first Sunday in June)."

 

Edited July 20, 2023 by Rusty Greaves

[Duncan]

Thank you both, that's really interesting. Seems to be for the 1920 National Day for Large Families. 

[Graf]

2 hours ago, Rusty Greaves said:

Several identical images turn up on a number off auctions sites in a search by the image. I cannot vouch for the veracity of these, many descriptions seem spurious.  

 

One description (https://www.rubylane.com/item/1973071-BPLx200100/1920-Vintage-French-Lady-Birds-Signed) states: "1920 Vintage French Lady Girl with Birds Signed Medal Gold Finish Pendant by Artisan M.PAUTOT."; Mark(s): On the front of the pendant, it is signed with "GRAVURE "M PAUTOT" 1920 JOURNÉE NATIONALE AUX FAMILLES NOMBREUSES."

 

This website (https://leoncechenal.com/mothers-day-france/) identifies the date and name as a precursor  to modern Mothers' Day in France (highlighted in bold in this quote): "The history of Mother’s Day in France. The tradition of Mother’s Day dates back to the 19th century when a low birth rate and a declining population became a concern for the French government. Thus, the idea came about to celebrate those mothers who were caring for large families, perhaps to encourage them to continue having more. Although it is said that Napoleon Bonaparte first thought of it in 1806, it didn’t actually take root until the 1890s.

 

In 1918, the city of Lyon celebrated Mother’s Day as a tribute to mothers and wives who lost their sons and husbands during World War I. In 1920, a “journée nationale des mères de familles nombreuses” (a national day of mothers of large families) was established. But it was only in 1926 that the French government formalized a Mother’s Day as part of the birth rate policy encouraged by the Republic.

 

In the 1940s, Marechal Pétain gave more recognition to this celebration. Mothers being put on a pedestal by the Vichy regime, French people were encouraged to celebrate motherhood. After the war, the law of May 24, 1950, was created to dedicate Mothers’ Day as an official tribute to mothers. This law fixed the date for this celebration on the last Sunday in May (unless this date coincides with that of Pentecost, in which case it is postponed to the first Sunday in June)."

 

Nice Work Rusty