Lot description:
Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, 1887, gilt bronze medal by Sir Jospeh Edgar Boehm and Frederick, Lord Leighton, crowned and veiled bust left, J.E.B. incuse on truncation, VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX, rev. enthroned figure of Empire facing, Mercury and Time at her feet, around her the figures of Science, Letters, Art, Industry and Agriculture, two cherubs above, IN. COMMEMORATION., diameter 78mm, weight 225g, with later non-Royal Mint blue case (BHM 3219; Eimer 1733a). Toned with multiple rim nicks and abrasion, gilding in fields wearing thin from past cleaning showing copper colour underneath, tinge of green to one part of reverse, handling marks, otherwise almost extremely fine, the gilding applied in the after-market along with the case which has a damp odour and a tear in the hinge of the lining.The Descriptive card that usually comes with this medallion elaborates further thus: In the centre a figure representing the British Empire sits enthroned, with the sea in the background, resting one hand on the sword of Justice, and holding in the other the symbol of victorious rule. A lion is seen on each side of the throne. At the feet of the seated figure lies Mercury, the God of Commerce, the mainstay of our imperial strength, holding up in one hand a cup heaped with gold. Opposite to him sits the Genius of Electricity and Steam. Below, again, five shields banded together bear the names of the five parts of the globe, Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Australasia, over which the Empire extends. On each side of the figure of Empire stand the personified elements of its greatness - on the right (of the spectator) Industry and Agriculture; on the left, Science, Letters, and Art. Above, the occasion of the celebration commemorated is expressed by two winged figures representing the year 1887 (the advancing figure), and the year 1837 (with averted head), holding each a wreath. Where these wreaths interlock the letters V. R. I. appear, and over all the words In Commemoration.The obverse legend translates as Victoria Queen and Empress. Lawrence Brown tells us in British Historical Medals 1760-1960, volume 2, that the issue of these medals began after the actual Golden Jubilee of 20th June, from the 18th July 1887 and sales of which continued until 26th February 1889. The gold and silver versions were struck at the Mint, but the bronze medal production was subcontracted to Ralph Heaton and Sons in Birmingham. The fine gold medal was priced originally at £13/13/-, the fine silver version at £2/2/- and the bronze at 10/6d. The official mintages are 944 in gold, 2,289 in silver and 4,257 in bronze.
provenance:Ex Mike Edwards Collection, Stephen Album, California, Auction 30, 18th January 2018, lot 1245 - sold as brass.
Starting price: 200 GBP |  |