Britain - 1829 Warwick Vase Medal by Thomason
Offered is a masterfully executed 52mm medal by Sir Edward Thomason of Birmingham (as BM#1920,1012.53), produced in 1829 to commemorate the unveiling of his newly re-finished bronze copy of the famed Warwick vase - considered to be his finest work.
The original marble vase was excavated in Italy in 1770, and dates from the early 2nd century AD. In 1788, it was purchased by the Earl of Warwick, and installed in a special greenhouse on his estate, where it would remain until 1979 (when it was purchased by Glasgow Museums). The Thomason reproduction of the vase was completed in 1820, upon which occasion, he issued a commemorative medal. When the piece was refinished by Thomason in 1829, a further 2 medals were issued. All three Thomason medals were offered in both white metal, and in smaller quantities struck in bronze (as this example).
Superior artistry and a superb quality of strike distinguish this medal as being the work of one of the foremost craftsmen of the period, and as such, typical contact marks in the fields do little to detract from this impressive piece.
Offered is a masterfully executed 52mm medal by Sir Edward Thomason of Birmingham (as BM#1920,1012.53), produced in 1829 to commemorate the unveiling of his newly re-finished bronze copy of the famed Warwick vase - considered to be his finest work.
The original marble vase was excavated in Italy in 1770, and dates from the early 2nd century AD. In 1788, it was purchased by the Earl of Warwick, and installed in a special greenhouse on his estate, where it would remain until 1979 (when it was purchased by Glasgow Museums). The Thomason reproduction of the vase was completed in 1820, upon which occasion, he issued a commemorative medal. When the piece was refinished by Thomason in 1829, a further 2 medals were issued. All three Thomason medals were offered in both white metal, and in smaller quantities struck in bronze (as this example).
Superior artistry and a superb quality of strike distinguish this medal as being the work of one of the foremost craftsmen of the period, and as such, typical contact marks in the fields do little to detract from this impressive piece.
Offered is a masterfully executed 52mm medal by Sir Edward Thomason of Birmingham (as BM#1920,1012.53), produced in 1829 to commemorate the unveiling of his newly re-finished bronze copy of the famed Warwick vase - considered to be his finest work.
The original marble vase was excavated in Italy in 1770, and dates from the early 2nd century AD. In 1788, it was purchased by the Earl of Warwick, and installed in a special greenhouse on his estate, where it would remain until 1979 (when it was purchased by Glasgow Museums). The Thomason reproduction of the vase was completed in 1820, upon which occasion, he issued a commemorative medal. When the piece was refinished by Thomason in 1829, a further 2 medals were issued. All three Thomason medals were offered in both white metal, and in smaller quantities struck in bronze (as this example).
Superior artistry and a superb quality of strike distinguish this medal as being the work of one of the foremost craftsmen of the period, and as such, typical contact marks in the fields do little to detract from this impressive piece.