Not currently on display at the V&A

George I King of the Hellenes visit to London 1880

Medal
ca. 1880 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This bronzae medal commemorates the visit of George I King of the Hellenes to the City of London in 1880, and is made by George Gammon Adams.

George I, King of Hellenes (1845-1913), second son of Christian IX of Denmark and Princess Louise of Hesse-Cassel, was elected to the Greek throne in 1863 when Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, was elected but refused on political grounds. George I was assassinated in 1913.

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
TitleGeorge I King of the Hellenes visit to London 1880 (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Brief description
Medal, bronze, George I King of the Hellenes visit to London 1880, by George Gammon Adams, English, ca. 1880
Physical description
Obverse: Head in profile to left of King George I. He is bare-headed and balding with a dropping moustache. Inscribed.
Reverse: Allegorical scene of Britannia and Londinia standing before Acropolis and St. Paul's Cathedral and welcoming Greece. Inscribed.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 7.6cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'JUNE 16 1880' (reverse)
  • 'GEORG 1ST. KING OF THE HELLENES' (obverse)
Object history
Given by Miss I.D. Adams, daughter of George Gammon Adams in 1980.
Subjects depicted
Places depicted
Summary
This bronzae medal commemorates the visit of George I King of the Hellenes to the City of London in 1880, and is made by George Gammon Adams.

George I, King of Hellenes (1845-1913), second son of Christian IX of Denmark and Princess Louise of Hesse-Cassel, was elected to the Greek throne in 1863 when Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, was elected but refused on political grounds. George I was assassinated in 1913.

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.
Bibliographic references
  • Brown, Lawrence. British Historical Medals 1837-1901 - Vol II, The Reign of Queen Victoria. London: 1987, cat. no. 3077
  • Forrer, L. Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, I, London, 1904, p. 24
Collection
Accession number
A.222-1980

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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