Prussia Friedrich Wilhelm IV, 1840-1861. Set of 3 Medals in Gold, Silver and Bronze 1841, Berlin, by C. K. Pfeuffer. Bearded head of Sophocles right, wearing hearband. Greek legends around, muse below / Muse of ancient music advancing left to an autel, all within laurel wreath ornamented of four small medallions: heads of Mendelssohn and Ludwig Tieck to left and right, of Medusa above and ancient instruments below. 278,12g. (Gold); 145,25g. (Silver); 142,8g. (Bronze). Forrer IV p.475-476; Niggl 1303; Sommer P72. Sold with original box. An exceptional set in a perfect state of preservation with its original box. (3) In Sophocles’ tragedy, Antigone defies her uncle, King Creon, by refusing to obey his orders. She has therefore come to symbolize resistance to established authority and social order. Seeking to revive Berlin’s cultural life through Greek tragedy, Friedrich Wilhelm IV commissioned Felix Mendelssohn to compose music for Antigone.