Jean-Babtiste Nini (1717-1786) created this terracotta medallion of Franklin when the latter acted as ambassador to France (1776-1785), during the Revolutionary War. An important French maritime magnate and instrumental ally of Franklin's, Jacques-Donatien Le Ray, commissioned the medallion by Nini in 1777. The image Nini created became the most renown image of Franklin. Examination of Nini's skillful, realistic rendering of the founding father make clear its lasting popularity.
The medallion measures 4-3/8 inches in diameter and is in remarkable condition. There is one shallow loss on the reverse lower edge, close to 6 o'clock and two very tiny nicks to an outer low rising ring. Neither impede the enjoyment of the central image and are in no way detrimental to the structural integrity of the medallion.