Medal for the Seventh Russian Mining Congress, Kychtym Mountainous District, 1897

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Bashford Dean (1867–1928), the founding curator of the Arms and Armor Department, was also a highly regarded scientist. Dean traveled in Russia as part of his scientific research in the 1890s and presumably attended the Seventh Russian Mining Congress in Kyshtym in 1897 where he would have received this medal. The round medal is made of black cast iron. Obverse: around the perimeter there is a scalloped edge and the words GEOLOGORUM CONVENTUS + MENTE ET MALLEO +. In the circular area of the center there is a pair of crossed hammers, at the top "VII," to the left "18," to the right "97," and below ROSSIA. Reverse: around the perimeter there is a wreath and [in Cyrillic] the phrase "Kychtym Mountainous District." In the center there is a fish shown in profile in low relief above the word Kychtym.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.

Metropolitan Museum of Art