Badge of the Cincinnati Medal 1780 - 1783

This is a Badge of the Cincinnati, likely made around the late 18th century by Pierre Charles L'Enfant, incorporating gold and enamel. The badge’s allure lies in its intricate manufacture. Gold, carefully shaped and chased, forms the eagle's body, feathers, and laurel wreath, while colorful enamel work adds depth to the central medallion and foliage. The meticulous process, probably involving casting, engraving, and enameling, speaks to the skilled artisans who realized L'Enfant's vision. Such objects were often commissioned by elite members of society. The manufacture of such an object would have relied on a network of labor, from the extraction of raw materials to the crafting of the final form. Badges like these blurred the lines between craft and fine art, with historical and social significance tied to its materiality and production.