Medal thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 54

Medal

ca. 1713 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This medal was struck to celebrate the Treaty of Utrecht of 1713 that ended the War of the Spanish Succession.

People
John Croker (1670-1741) was born in Dresden, and worked in Germany and The Netherlands before arriving in England in 1691. In 1697 he was appointed assistant engraver to the Royal Mint, and in 1705 became Chief Engraver, a post he held until his death. Croker produced 29 different medals during Queen Anne's reign (1702-14). Many were struck to celebrate the successful military engagements undertaken by the British in the wars against the French.

Materials & Making
The medal was struck in bronze. Struck medals were produced from metal dies engraved with the design in reverse. A flat disc was placed between the dies, which were then compressed, so that the design was reproduced on the metal. This technique meant that a high number of medals could be made using the same dies over and over, whereas the technique of casting medals was generally more complex and therefore usually suitable only for smaller numbers.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Brief description
Medal commemorating the Peace of Utrecht 1713, made in London and signed by John Croker
Dimensions
  • Approx. depth: 0.3cm
  • Diameter: 3.5cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 28/03/2000 by SP
Marks and inscriptions
Reverse shows Britannia seated on the shore, on one side merchant ships, on the other men ploughing and sowing
Credit line
Given by W. Fleming, F.R.C.S.E.
Object history
Made in London and signed by John Croker (born in Dresden, Germany, 1670, died in London, 1741)
Subjects depicted
Summary
Object Type
This medal was struck to celebrate the Treaty of Utrecht of 1713 that ended the War of the Spanish Succession.

People
John Croker (1670-1741) was born in Dresden, and worked in Germany and The Netherlands before arriving in England in 1691. In 1697 he was appointed assistant engraver to the Royal Mint, and in 1705 became Chief Engraver, a post he held until his death. Croker produced 29 different medals during Queen Anne's reign (1702-14). Many were struck to celebrate the successful military engagements undertaken by the British in the wars against the French.

Materials & Making
The medal was struck in bronze. Struck medals were produced from metal dies engraved with the design in reverse. A flat disc was placed between the dies, which were then compressed, so that the design was reproduced on the metal. This technique meant that a high number of medals could be made using the same dies over and over, whereas the technique of casting medals was generally more complex and therefore usually suitable only for smaller numbers.
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. 169.
Collection
Accession number
1851-1877

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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