Medal — Great Exhibition Medal, Birmingham, ca. 1851
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1851
Medal in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number CIRC.810-1969), made in Birmingham, dated ca. 1851, attributed to Davis, J.. The museum's brief description reads: Medal, white metal, 1851, Davis, Birmingham.. Museum description: Medal, die-stamped, white metal. Obverse, Busts of Victoria and Albter, signed under the truncation of Victoria, 'DAVIS. BIRM', Inscription (round the circumference): TO COMMEMORATE THE EXHIBITION OF THE INDUSTY OF ALL NATIONS- PROPOSED BY HRH PRINCE ALBERT & PATRONISED BY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN. Reverse, The Crystal Palace with an inscription above reading: LENGTH OF BUILDING 1848, WIDTH 455 FT, HEIGHT 66 FT, TRANSEPT 108 FT, GLAZED SURFACE 900,000 FT OCCUPIES NEARLY 21 ACRES OF GROUN 3300 IRON COLUMNS, 2224 GIRDERS, 1128 GALY BEARERS, 105 MILES OF SASH BAR, VALUE £150,000 OPENED BY HM MAJESTY VICTORIA, MAY 1- 1851. In the exergue: inscription: DESIGNED BY PAXTON 1850 ERECTED BY COX HENDERSON & CO. The museum records it as Die-stamped white metal, measuring Diameter 5 cm. These details come from the 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
Object TypeMedals commemorating the Great Exhibition were made in great numbers for sale to the public. This example was produced by Davis of Birmingham, although the name of the artist responsible for the design is unrecorded. The obverse shows busts of Victoria and Albert with an inscription: 'TO COMMEMORATE THE EXHIBITION OF THE INDUSTRY OF ALL NATIONS - PROPOSED BY HRH PRINCE ALBERT & PATRONISED BY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN'.Materials & MakingThis 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 could be more complex, and generally smaller numbers were made.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- white metal
- Dimensions
- Diameter 5 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Die-stamped white metal
- Maker recorded
- Davis, J.
- Place recorded
- Birmingham
Design
- Inscriptions recorded
- TO COMMEMORATE THE EXHIBITION OF THE INDUSTY OF ALL NATIONS- PROPOSED BY HRH PRINCE ALBERT & PATRONISED BY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN.; LENGTH OF BUILDING 1848 FT WIDTH 455 FT, HEIGHT 66 FT, TRANSEPT 108 FT, GLAZED SURFACE 900,000 FT OCCUPIES NEARLY 21 ACS OF GROUND 3300 IRON COLUMNS, 2224 GIRDERS, 1128 GALY BEARERS, 105 MILES OF SASH BAR, VALUE £150,000 OPENED BY HM MAJESTY VICTORI MAY 1- 1851.; DESIGNED BY PAXTON 1850 ERECTED BY COX HENDERSON & CO.
Identification
- Museum object name
- Medal
- Museum object number
- CIRC.810-1969
- Museum system number
- O78099
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 the wider type, maker and catalogue references against a specialist reference.