Hans Frei

Swiss sculptor Hans Frei studied with the engraver Hermann Moser, then under the leading goldsmith Stefan Schwartz in Vienna, and at the École des Arts Industriel in Geneva and in Paris. He received his first commercial orders in 1894 from the Allemandi Foundation. He had considerable success with goldsmith and jewelery works as well as with state and notary seal orders. But he was known above all for numerous medals and is considered a leading exponent of this art genre. His motifs were often portraits and allegorical motifs, his style was naturalistic with influences of Art Nouveau. Frei also developed new techniques of producing medals. From 1895 he ran his own studio in Paris, later in Basel. Since 1918 he lived and worked in the town of Riehen near Basel. His works brought a higher level of awareness to his hometown of Basel. During World War II he suffered a stroke from which he never really recovered and eventually died in 1947.

The three submitted plaques were apparently designed specifically for the art competitions in Paris. In Frei’s list of works they are described as follows: #323. Footballer, signature upper left corner, 275 x 330 mm and 128 x 160 mm; #324. Ice skater, signature upper right corner, 275 x 330 mm; #325. The winner, looking at the awarded laurel wreath, signature upper left corner, 275 x 337 mm and 108 x 160 mm.