Pope Pius IX (1792-1878, reigned from 1848)

Made of bois durci (hardened wood) this portrait medallion of Pope Pius IX (1792-1878; reigned 1846-1878) is an interesting example of an experimental material developed for mass manufacture during the industrial revolution. In 1854, the French author, François Charles Le Page, invented the mixture of finely powdered wood blended with oxblood or other organic binders that transformed into a hard, sturdy, lightweight material after being compressed into metal molds and dried. Alfred Latry acquired the patent in 1859. His factory in Paris produced a variety of inexpensive, replicable small-scale domestic bois durci objects – such as frames, brooches, buckles, boxes, and portrait medallions -- until 1898. Today, cellulose-based bois durci is considered a forerunner to the polymer-based synthetic compounds bakelite and modern plastic.




Portrait medallions of contemporary political and cultural leaders were a lucrative component of Latry’s business. Pius IX represents the design, both attractive and easy to mass produce that was developed by the factory. The circular medallions are all the same size and follow the same formal conventions. Subjects are depicted in medallic profile truncated at or just below the neck. The bold, broadly modelled, polished portraits and large, polished brief inscriptions stand out sharply against the finely textured, matte backgrounds. The unknown artist who modelled Pius IX for production in bois durci probably based the likeness on an annual pontifical medal. Pius’s portraits on the medals issued during the 27th and 28th years of his reign most resemble the bois durci portrait, suggesting the early 1870s as the date of its making.