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John Gray and Emma Gray: Laudatory Medal

Model
ca. 1862 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This roundel is a model for the obverse of a laudatory medal of John Edward Gray and Emma Gray, and is made by George Gammon Adams.

Gray (1800-1875) studied medicine. First interests in botany, later zoology. Worked at the British Museum in the zoology department from 1824 till 1874 and bacame keeper of the department there in 1840. His wife Emma assisted him in his studies.

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
TitleJohn Gray and Emma Gray: Laudatory Medal (named collection)
Materials and techniques
Plaster
Brief description
Roundel, model for a medal, plaster, John Gray and Emma Gray: Laudatory Medal, by George Gammon Adams, English, 1862
Physical description
Superposed heads to right in profile of John Edward Gray and his wife Maria Emma Gray. He is bare-headed and clean-shaven. She wears a lace cap.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 25cm
  • Depth: 2.7cm
Object history
Given by Miss I.D. Adams, daughter of George Gammon Adams in 1980.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This roundel is a model for the obverse of a laudatory medal of John Edward Gray and Emma Gray, and is made by George Gammon Adams.

Gray (1800-1875) studied medicine. First interests in botany, later zoology. Worked at the British Museum in the zoology department from 1824 till 1874 and bacame keeper of the department there in 1840. His wife Emma assisted him in his studies.

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
  • Forrer, L. Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, I, London, 1904, p. 467
  • Brown, Lawrence. British Historical Medals 1837-1901 - Vol II, The Reign of Queen Victoria. London: 1987, cat.no. 2787
Collection
Accession number
A.151-1980

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
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