Medal commemorating Sir Henry Irving
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1905
This is an irregularly shaped uniface memorial medal created in 1905 to commemorate the English actor-manager Sir Henry Irving. Produced in Great Britain by an unknown maker, the piece is fashioned from cast and enamelled bronze, measuring 3.4 cm in height at its longest point and 3 cm in width at its widest point.
The recto of the medal features a relief three-quarter head portrait of Henry Irving turned toward the right, set against a plain ground. Surrounding the portrait is a laurel wreath intertwined with a black enamel band bearing the inscription "I GO TO MEET MY KING - BECKET". Below the central portrait rests a black enamel shield inscribed with "IN MEMORIAM HENRY IRVING".
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 medal was struck following the death of Sir Henry Irving in Bradford on 13 October 1905 at the age of 68. Irving was the first actor to receive a knighthood for services to the theatre. The quotation "I go to meet my king" on the enamel band originates from Tennyson's play Becket, in which Irving performed the title role of the murdered priest Thomas Becket, which was one of his favourite stage roles.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Cast and enamelled bronze
- Dimensions
- Height (At longest point): 3.4 cm; Width (At widest point): 3 cm
Technical characteristics
- Maker recorded
- Unknown
- Place recorded
- Great Britain
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum collection record for this single object; how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Museum object name
- Medal
- Museum object number
- S.10-2005
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.