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Memorial of William Shakespeare

Medal
1821 (dated)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This early 19th-century medal commemorates William Shakespeare (1564-1616), with a bust of Shakespeare on the obverse.

The inscription on the reverse 'TO THE WHICH PLACE A POOR SEQUESTERED STAG THAT FROM THE HUNTERS AIM HAD TA'EN A HURT DID COME TO LANGUISH' is taken from his pastoral comedy 'As You Like It'.

John Westwood (1774-1850) was a medallist. He issued a large number of medals and dies for tokens and is well known for his dies with portraits of popular men of his time, which were often used to emboss snuff-boxes.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleMemorial of William Shakespeare (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Brief description
Medal, bronze, to commemorate William Shakespeare, by John Westwood, English, dated 1821
Physical description
The medal depicts on the obverse a bust of Shakespeare nearly full face, in deep collar and doublet, with the inscription: WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. BORN APRIL 23 1564. DIED APRIL 23 1616. On the truncation of the left arm: WESTWOOD, 1821.
Reverse: a huntsman seated beneath a tree; in the distance is a stag drinking from a brook. Inscribed: TO THE WHICH PLACE A POOR SEQUESTERED STAG THAT FROM THE HUNTERS AIM HAD TA'EN A HURT DID COME TO LANGUISH.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 4.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. BORN APRIL 23 1564. DIED APRIL 23 1616' (obverse)
  • 'WESTWOOD, 1821' (obverse, on the truncation of the left arm)
  • 'TO THE WHICH PLACE A POOR SEQUESTERED STAG THAT FROM THE HUNTERS AIM HAD TA'EN A HURT DID COME TO LANGUISH' (reverse)
Object history
Given by Mrs. Glinn.
Historical context
Medal for the memorial of William Shakespeare (1564-1616).
Subjects depicted
Summary
This early 19th-century medal commemorates William Shakespeare (1564-1616), with a bust of Shakespeare on the obverse.

The inscription on the reverse 'TO THE WHICH PLACE A POOR SEQUESTERED STAG THAT FROM THE HUNTERS AIM HAD TA'EN A HURT DID COME TO LANGUISH' is taken from his pastoral comedy 'As You Like It'.

John Westwood (1774-1850) was a medallist. He issued a large number of medals and dies for tokens and is well known for his dies with portraits of popular men of his time, which were often used to emboss snuff-boxes.
Bibliographic reference
List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Years 1905 - 1908. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, During the Year 1907, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition with Appendix and Indices. London: Printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, 1909, p. 33
Collection
Accession number
201-1907

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Record createdJanuary 16, 2009
Record URL
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