A rare and extremely impressive membership badge of the Polish Polytechnic Society in Lviv – one of the most important Polish organizations bringing together engineers and representatives of technical sciences.
The Society's origins date back to 1877 , when a group of Lviv engineers formed the Society of Graduated Technicians. In 1878, due to changes taking place at the Lviv Polytechnic School, the organization adopted the name Polytechnic Society of Lviv . In 1913, this name was changed to the Polish Polytechnic Society of Lviv , under which the Society operated until 1939.
The organization brought together Polish engineers and technicians of many specialties, becoming one of the most important centers of the Polish technical community. Its activities included organizing lectures and conferences, publishing scientific and technical papers, maintaining a library and reading room, organizing exhibitions and competitions, and promoting the development of Polish technical thought.
The history of the Society's symbolism is particularly interesting. In 1896, a competition was held to design a metal membership badge , which was won by architect Jan Tarczalowicz . The design he developed was subsequently adopted as the Society's emblem and also used on its anniversary publications and on the façade of the organization's own headquarters.
The badge's central element is an enameled shield with the logo and the inscription "Lviv Polytechnic Society." In the background are symbols referring to various engineering fields: surveying, architecture, mining, agriculture, and mechanics.
Loss of blue enamel, post re-soldered.
Cap signed "J. Wilman / Lwów".
Badge from the Collection of Lech Kokociński, Honorary President of the Polish Numismatic Society.
Dimensions 60 x 30 mm
