Biographical dictionary of medallists: coin, gem, and seal-engravers, mint-masters, &c., ancient and modern, with references to their works B. C. 500-A. D. 1900; compiled by L. Forrer ...

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FEART, ADRIEN (B.D.M., Vol. II, p. 77). By this Engraver is
also the following medal: Societe des Concerts de musique vocale,
religieuse et classique, I844.
FECHER, FRIEDRICH (B.D.M.; Vol. II, p. 78). Dr E. Major
(Die Basler Goldschmziedfamilie Fechter, Anz. A.-K. I904/05,
p. 144-146) has been able to prove with satisfaction that the
numerous medals signed FF of the first half of the seventeenth century, which were hitherto ascribed to a member of the famous
family of goldsmiths of Basle, of the name of Fechter, are really
the work of a Medallist of Strassburg, Friedrich Fecher.
This artist, whose name occurs in the Register of Guilds of
Strassburg in 6 12 appears to have been working in his native city
until at least I630. It is certain that his dated productions of I628 -1630, including medals on the Religious troubles of 1628/9
(Berstett, n~ 256c and 256 d), with a view of the city (Berst.,
n~ 256f and 256g), a Marriage medal 1629 (Berst., p. 83) and a
Reformation Jubilee medal of I630 (Berst., n~ 245 b) all indicate
the same place of origin. In that same year 1630 he went to Basle,
where traces of him are found until 1653.
An important series of medals of Basle commemorating the most
varied events is known of the period of I630 to I648, and comprizing Peace Medals on the Peace of Westphalia 1648 (Haller,
67-74); - Scholastic Medals of I641 and 1642 (Haller, I4I4 -I417); - Undated "Gluckhennenthaler" (Haller, I323, 1323a,
1326, 1329, 133 ); - Medals depicting Daniel in the lions' den
(Haller, 1335 and 134I); - ' Moralpfennige', with representation
of the city and city arms, also with historical figures, allegorical
scenes, etc. intended as presents, and varying very much in artistic
merit (Haller, 1316, 1318-20, I332-35, I340, I35I, I358-60,
I362-65, 1368, 1370-72, I378-80, 1382, I398). Of exceptional
artistic merit is a medal by him, showing on obv. a half-length
figure of a seated Venus with Cupid (Sammnl. Ezuig, Cat., n~ 826).
Fecher probably never worked in Berne, as he engraved in
Basle the die for the Presentation Medal granted to Officers for
distinguished services in the War of the peasants of 1653 (Haller,
736). For the striking of 12 gold and a number of silver pieces he
claimed payment of 894 Kronen I2 Batzen and 2 Kreutzer, which
was settled in Basle Ducats reckoned at 57 Batzen a piece.
The date of birth and death of Fecher are still unknown.
Cf. M. A. Ruegg, Friedrich Fecher, Schr. Kstler-Lex., Suppl. I45,
and Rev. suisse de num.., I915 (in latter article, additional information).
The following additional medals of Strassburg by this Engraver
are described in Catalogue de la Collection A*** (Jan. 1905) by
M. Florange: Medal of Strassburg, 1629; Square Medal, I628