MARRIAGE OF THE COMTE DE PROVENCE TO MARIA LOUISA OF SAVOY

DUVIVIER, Benjamin: France, 1771, Bronze, 41 mm
Obv: Bust of Louis XV    LUD. XV. REX CHRISTIANISS.
Rev: Shields of Arms of France and Savoy with laurel branches over pillar    FELIX SACRAE CONCORDIAE RENOVATIO
Exergue:  M. J. LUD. SARD. REGIS. FILIA LUD. STA. XAV. COMITI PROV.
NUPTA MDCCLXXI

Signed:  B. DUVIVIER F.

Marie Louise Josephine de Savoie (1753-1810), Comtesse de Provence, was born in Turin to Victor Amadeus II, King of Sardinia. She married Louis Stanislas Xavier de Bourbon, Comte de Provence (1755-1824), at Versailles in 1771, the event commemorated by this medal. With over 5,000 guests in attendance the union between this daughter of the house of Savoy and the second grandson of the aged Louis XV of France was celebrated with one of the most luxurious weddings of the Ancien Regime, despite a desperate financial crisis that had left the crown virtually bankrupt.

LINK to portrait and biography of Maria Louisa of Savoy (from batguano.com)

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