Help with this item

Hi, Can anyone give me any information about this item please?

 

Hi, CGP, and welcome!

How big is this item?

 

Diameter is 9cm.

 

It's very difficult read. Can you make out what it says? Does it say Descartes on the left figure? So maybe in French?

 

We definitely need a closer look at the various inscriptions to figure this out.

 

Thanks for your help. Here are some close ups of the inscriptions. I think one of them reads 'Ministre Gouvernant D'Autriche'

 

Welcome to the forum, CGP!
There is also perhaps a name written on neck of figure on the left. Maybe a clear pic of that too.

 

Are you able to read this from your piece? Can't make it out from photo.

 

I think the name is 'Szela'

 

All I can figure is that D'Autriche is French for "of Austria."

In the part on the scroll there is a word that looks like Galicie - meaning Galicia. Although there is an area known by that name near current day Austria, the history of that part of Eastern Europe was very confusing to read about.

 

I tried translating the phrase from the left - Chef des ecorgeurs - and what came up was "Chief of the eclipses." There's got to be either a scientific connection OR that word in French has another meaning.

 

I think we're getting warmer on the scientific angle. The banner at the top is French for The Creation of the Universe.

So the 2 people in the center are astronomers?

 

Thanks for all the clues. I have now found what it is.

https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/gb...gallicia_in_february_1846/592526/Default.aspx

 

Interesting.