Great Exhibition 1851 London
Medal
1851 (made)
1851 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This silver medal is the Juror's medal of the Great Exhibition of 1851 and is made by W. Wyon (obverse) and George Gammon Adams (reverse).
The design of the reverse represents Industry seated on cornucopiae receiving from Britain the reward of Fame. This work established the reputation of Adams as a medallist.
George Gammon Adams (b. 1821-1898) was a portrait sculptor and medallist. He designed and exhibited prize medals for the Great Exhibition. In 1852 he was chosen to model the death mask of Wellington. One of his public monuments is the 'Napier' statue in Trafalgar square.
The roundel was among the items given to the Museum by I. D. Adams, the daughter of George Gammon Adams, in 1980. In total, 196 items were included in the Adams gift, which consisted of many models for medals as well as the busts and figurative sculpture. In most instances it is not possible to date conclusively the many models included in this gift.
The design of the reverse represents Industry seated on cornucopiae receiving from Britain the reward of Fame. This work established the reputation of Adams as a medallist.
George Gammon Adams (b. 1821-1898) was a portrait sculptor and medallist. He designed and exhibited prize medals for the Great Exhibition. In 1852 he was chosen to model the death mask of Wellington. One of his public monuments is the 'Napier' statue in Trafalgar square.
The roundel was among the items given to the Museum by I. D. Adams, the daughter of George Gammon Adams, in 1980. In total, 196 items were included in the Adams gift, which consisted of many models for medals as well as the busts and figurative sculpture. In most instances it is not possible to date conclusively the many models included in this gift.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Great Exhibition 1851 London (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Silver |
| Brief description | Medal, silver, Great Exhibition 1851 London, Heads of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, by W.Wyon and George Gammon Adams, English, 1851 |
| Physical description | Obverse: Conjoined heads of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to left. He is bare-headed, she laureate. Two dolphins are below, with trident to right. Inscribed. Reverse: Allegorical scene of three female figures. Winged figure of Fame attended by Commerce crowns the kneeling figure of Industry. Lion lies to left, prow of ship emerging to right, globe and cornucopia of fruits. In the exergue are scabbard, victors laurel crown and bust of Athena. Inscribed. Contained in a leather box with 'CRYSTAL PALACE PRIZE MEDAL PICTURE GALLERY' noted on it. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Object history | Given by Miss I.D. Adams, daughter of George Gammon Adams in 1980. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This silver medal is the Juror's medal of the Great Exhibition of 1851 and is made by W. Wyon (obverse) and George Gammon Adams (reverse). The design of the reverse represents Industry seated on cornucopiae receiving from Britain the reward of Fame. This work established the reputation of Adams as a medallist. George Gammon Adams (b. 1821-1898) was a portrait sculptor and medallist. He designed and exhibited prize medals for the Great Exhibition. In 1852 he was chosen to model the death mask of Wellington. One of his public monuments is the 'Napier' statue in Trafalgar square. The roundel was among the items given to the Museum by I. D. Adams, the daughter of George Gammon Adams, in 1980. In total, 196 items were included in the Adams gift, which consisted of many models for medals as well as the busts and figurative sculpture. In most instances it is not possible to date conclusively the many models included in this gift. |
| Associated object | A.230-1980 (Version) |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.229-1980 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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