Medal — Sir John Hotham, Simon, Abraham, London, ca. 1644
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1644
Medal — Sir John Hotham, Simon, Abraham, London, ca. 1644 is an object recorded by Victoria and Albert Museum, dated ca. 1644. The museum's brief description reads: Medal, silver, depicting Sir John Hotham, by Abraham Simon, English, ca 1644.
Museum description: Bust to left, hair curled at ends and with pointed beard, also wearing plain falling collar, armour, and scarf across breast. The museum record gives material recorded as silver; measurements Diameter 3.81 cm; place associated: London; maker recorded: Simon, Abraham, Simon, Thomas. These details come from the holding museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
The two brothers, Abraham Simon (b London, 1617; d ?1692) and Thomas Simon (b London, 1618; d London, 1665), were among the most outstanding medallists of English birth before the 19th century. Abraham worked for Queen Christina of Sweden and in Holland before returning to England ca. 1643. He was a skilful wax-modeller, as revealed by his self-portrait in that medium (London, BM). In 1645 he was appointed jointly with his brother Engraver of Coins and Seals at the Royal Mint. From around this time they produced many cast and chased portrait medals of distinguished contemporaries. According to Vertue (1780), the medals were cast from Abraham’s wax portraits; they were then chased and often signed by Thomas. However, the possibility that Abraham’s role also included casting and chasing is suggested by the appearance of his initials on some of the medals. Moreover, as Thomas was an ardent Parliamentarian, it is unlikely that he was involved in the production of those medals that portray noted Royalists. Many of the medals thought to be collaborative efforts are of a particular size; they have no legend accompanying the portrait on the obverse, and a reverse consisting solely of a horizontally placed inscription. The earliest of these are either unsigned or signed by Abraham. Signed examples include the medals of John Campbell of Lawers, 1st Earl of Loudoun and William Pope (both 1645) and those of Albert Joachim, Sir Sydenham Poyntz and John Maitland, 2nd Earl of Dunfermline…
Physical characteristics
- Material
- silver
- Dimensions
- Diameter 3.81 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Silver, cast
- Maker recorded
- Simon, Abraham, Simon, Thomas
- Place recorded
- London
Identification
- Museum object name
- Medal
- Museum object number
- 809-1904
- Museum system number
- O111644
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm materials, dimensions, maker and wider type against the holding institution and a specialist reference.