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Medal
19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is a silver medal made in the 19th century, in England. This medal was for the Cape Mounted Rifles. The obverse of this medal is embossed with a lion statant gardant, awreath, and the date 1851. The reverse has the inscription "Presented by His Escellcy Sir H. G. Smith, Bart., G. C. B., to Jogn Main for gallantry in the field." This medal has a swivel and a ribbon.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver |
| Brief description | Medal, for gallantry, presented to Jogn Main, Cape Mounted Rifles, 1851, English, mid 19th century. |
| Physical description | Obv., embossed with a lion statant gardant, a wreath, and the date 1851. Rev., an inscription. Swivel and ribbon. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | "Presented by His Escellcy Sir H. G. Smith, Bart., G. C. B., to Jogn Main for gallantry in the field." (rev. The medal may have been issued during the Eighth Kaffir War (1851-53) one of the Cape Frontier Wars in which the Cape mounted Rifles took part) |
| Credit line | Given by the late Jas. W. Fleming |
| Object history | NB In South Africa the word "Kaffir" has been used as a strongly derogatory term for black Africans. The term is repeated here in its original historical context. Given by the late Jas.W.Fleming, F.R.C.S.E., Surgeon- Major 4th R.I.D Guards. |
| Historical context | The Cape Mounted Rifles was formed in 1827 from troops then serving in the Cape Regiment. Its origins went back as far as 1793 when the Dutch enlisted locals to enlarge the garrison of Cape Colony. The British retained the unit in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It was largely composed of Khoisan enlisted men commanded by European officers. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This is a silver medal made in the 19th century, in England. This medal was for the Cape Mounted Rifles. The obverse of this medal is embossed with a lion statant gardant, awreath, and the date 1851. The reverse has the inscription "Presented by His Escellcy Sir H. G. Smith, Bart., G. C. B., to Jogn Main for gallantry in the field." This medal has a swivel and a ribbon. |
| Bibliographic reference | List of Objects in the Art Division, South Kensington, Acquired During the Year 1877, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition. London : Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O. p. 140. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1654-1877 |
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| Record created | November 10, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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