At my first meeting with the president's representatives on 15 September 2007, I was given a free rein to submit proposals for a new medal for the president. So I set to work, in close collaboration with Nicolas Sarkozy's cabinet.

The medal design that was finally accepted shows, on the obverse, the famous Palais de l'Elysée and, on the reverse, the French values. The next step was to create the bas-relief sculptures for each of the motifs. This was followed by the impressions and casts in plaster, which were reworked using numerical control then engraved by hand to obtain the 1:3 scale pattern. Next, the obverse and reverse bas-reliefs were each reproduced on a steel block using a reducing machine.



Fig. 8: working on the sculpture for the obverse motif on the French president's future medal. Photo © Matthieu Cellard

Fig. 9: reducing the sculpture on a steel die, using a "reducing machine". Photo © Matthieu Cellard


"Hand" engraving
Once the machining was finished, it was time for a key phase: hand engraving to remove all traces of the machine from the dies. I use a variety of tools here, including burins, which I tap with a hammer, scorpers, chasing tools and tracers.
I redraw and highlight the main lines of the motifs.
This "hand-finishing" bears the distinctive mark of my hand and brings the future medal to life.

On 15 June 2008, after nine months of hard work, I delivered my finished dies to the producer, Arthus-Bertrand.
They were then placed in 1600-tonne hydraulic press and used to mark the silver and bronze blanks, one by one.
After stamping, the medals were machined into a square shape, then toned. Only at the end of this long process, when all the different stages have been completed, can we speak of a finished medal.


Fig. 10: hand engraving and finishing of the die for the president's future medal. Photos © Matthieu Cellard

Upholding tradition
This novel, 90mm-square medal was designed and produced using traditional methods.

The obverse represents the facade of the Palais de l'Elysée, home to the presidents of the French Republic since 1874. The representation is dominated by dynamic lines, with a deliberate underscoring of the perspectives.
The French flag is depicted on both sides of the medal. The obverse shows the fasces of lion-headed lictors – the hallmark of the French Republic's armorial bearings – like a wax seal. The words "Nicolas Sarkozy, Président de la République française" are written across the bottom. The engraver's name appears on the left.


Fig. 11: obverse of the French president's medal. To date, 95 medals in gilt bronze and 5 special medals in solid silver have been issued, in a prestigious leather presentation case with an accompanying booklet. Issued by Arthus-Bertrand in 2008. Photo © service photographique de lElysée''

The reverse of the medal sets out France's signature values. The flag takes up the whole surface, flying vigorously and without restraint.
The volumes come together and create movement, drive and life. This lively impetus coexists with the stars of the EU. The words "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité, République Française" are written across the bottom. The engraver's initials, along with the date the job was completed, in Roman numerals, are shown on the right underneath the flag.

From now on, this square medal will be presented by the president, Nicolas Sarkozy, to eminent figures from around the world during official visits and receptions at the Elysée. It will be an official gift from France !

From my workshop in Lyons, where I pour my energy and enthusiasm into nurturing my craft of engraver and medallist, it is with a certain pride that I see myself enter the very closed circle of engravers for the French Republic.