The Red Cross is a humanitarian agency with national affiliates in almost every country in the world. The Red Cross movement began with the founding of the International Committee for the Relief of the Wounded (now the International Committee of the Red Cross) in Switzerland in 1863. It was established to care for victims of battle in time of war, but later national Red Cross societies were created to aid in the prevention and relief of human suffering generally. Its peacetime activities include first aid, accident prevention, water safety, training of nurses’ aids and mothers’ assistants, and maintenance of maternal and child welfare centers and medical clinics, blood banks, and numerous other services. In 1901, the organization received the first-ever Nobel Peace Prize. The Red Cross recruited 20,000 nurses for military service during World War I.
- Plaquette
Bronze. France ca. 1919. Signed. Lifetime. Commemorating the nurses of the Red Cross
- Size
52 x 70 mm
- Artist
Henri Emile Allouard (1844-1929), a contemporary French sculptor and medallist. He executed various portrait-medallions in bronze, which were exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1902 (Forrer 1, 43)
- Obverse
A nurse assisting a blind and wounded soldier, who has left arm in sling and cane in right hand; in field at left vertically, VIRTVS, at right vertically, CARITAS, above in curve, AUX DAMES DE LA CROIX ROUGE; in upper corners and around shield with cross, vines; at bottom, against crossed branches of oak and laurel a tablet, with field vacant; in field above tip oak branch at left, H ALLOUARD incused.
- Reverse
Wingless victory, a draped female with palm in right and olive branch in left levitating above body of a nurse (Edith Cavell) who lies on bed of palm and flowers; at left by her foot, H. ALLOUARD incused; by her head at right, abandoned revolver; in background, buildings in flames right and left and in center the sun; in upper corners, shields with cross and vines.
- Edge
Paris mint mark (cornucopia) and BRONZE incused
- Ref
Freeman 660; Storer 3055; Galst VIII.26
