Medal — Order of Mercy medal, Elkington & Co., England, 1898
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1898
Medal — Order of Mercy medal, Elkington & Co., England, 1898 is an object recorded by Victoria and Albert Museum, dated 1898. The museum's brief description reads: Order of Mercy medal, 1898. Museum description: Red enamel and gilt cross with hinged suspension in the shape of the three feather symbol of the Prince of Wales. The centre of the cross has a white enamel medallion featuring a laurel wreath surrounding a woman with three children. The reverse is inscribed 'LEAGUE OF MERCY 1898'. The medal hangs from a silver-gilt pin bar with a cream and black stripe silk bow. The medal is presented in a leather presentation box with blue velvet cushion, printed on the lid with 'ELKINGTON & CO LD, 22 REGENT ST S.W.' The museum record gives material recorded as silver gilt, silk (textile), enamel, leather, velvet; measurements Height 7.4 cm; Width 6.4 cm; Height 5.3 cm; Width 4.0 cm; Length 11.5 cm; Width 9.9 cm; place associated: England. 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 Order of Mercy medal was awarded by the League of Mercy, a charitable foundation begun in 1899 by the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VII) to maintain voluntary hospitals. The Order of Mercy was given to fifty exceptional volunteers each year, nominated by the Prince of Wales and approved by the sovereign. The 1948 National Health Act which took over these hospitals effectively made the League redundant, but in 1999 it re-formed to provide support to other voluntary health initiatives. This medal was awarded to Helen Carte (1852-1913), the wife of Richard D'Oyly Carte (1844-1901). D'Oyly Carte was a theatre impresario responsible for the financial support of the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan, including the formation of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company and the founding of the Savoy Theatre.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- silver gilt, silk (textile), enamel, leather, velvet
- Dimensions
- Height 7.4 cm; Width 6.4 cm; Height 5.3 cm; Width 4.0 cm; Length 11.5 cm; Width 9.9 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Enamelled and engraved silver gilt
- Place recorded
- England
Design
- Inscriptions recorded
- Inside of the presentation box: ELKINGTON & CO LD, 22 REGENT ST S.W. Reverse of the medal: LEAGUE OF MERCY 1898
Identification
- Museum attribution
- Elkington & Co.
- Museum object name
- Medal
- Museum object number
- S.671:1, 2-2016
- Museum system number
- O1373329
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 museum record and a specialist reference.