Here we have a ruddy French galleon that is being guided
“against all hazards” by a dolphin.
The ship is fully rigged with majestic fore and aft castles.
The curvature of the gunwales is amplified with an artistic flair; bold planks
and two decks of cannon complement the broadside. The shrouds and stays are
nicely detailed. The sails are furled.
The waters appear relatively calm with a few large curls
just aft of the vessel. The crowned dolphin leads on the starboard side; its
tail gallantly protruding upwards.
 |
| French Galleon guided by a Dolphin It is a hopeful image that a new King will lead to prosperity and peace. |
It is a beautiful design despite the rather neglected
condition of the piece. This jeton of 1605 was handled for a few decades and
then set aside. A deep brown and red patina has engulfed the fields thereby
accentuating the ship. A deep old scrape cuts the ship across the fore and main
masts.
Despite its injuries, it is a nice piece for the ship
collector.
The legend reads: MARIA OMNIA CONTRA. This roughly
translates to “Maria (the queen, and second wife of Henry IV) will prosper
against all odds or hazards.” Note that Henry of Navarre (also known
affectionately as “the good king Henry”) was King from 1589 to 1610. He was the
first monarch of the House of Bourbon.
Henry IV married Maria de Medici in October of 1600. She
gave him a son (the future Louis XIII) in 1601. As heir to the throne, the
future king was known as the Dauphin of France.
Henry IV was brutally assassinated in May of 1610. He was
known for being compassionate towards his people, but the fervent Catholics and
the Protestants hated him for his stance on religious tolerance.
The dolphin represents the French province of Dauphine and
has long been part of the French Arms. Of note, the dolphin also has symbolic
significance and represents prudence.
And so, we are left to piece together the message of the
jeton. The legend on the obverse helps us here, as it reads: DELPHINO TVTIOR IBIS. This translates to: “Your path
will be more about thanks to the dolphin.”
I believe that the piece is celebrating Maria and her son
Louis XIII (the Dauphin) who will eventually lead France towards prosperity.
