Summary

Australia Victoria Melbourne
Bronze Prize Medal of 1873 International Exhibition 1873 (AD)
Mint: Stokes & Martin
Awarded to: Mackennal, J.S.
Other Details: Medal awarded as a prize to John Simpson Mackennal at the 1873 International Exhibition. The medal features an allegorical figure representing the Colony of Victoria. It was designed by artist Julius Hogarth and manufactured by Melbourne firm Stokes & Martin. Mackennal won in the Miscellaneous category for two works: #267 - ideal bust (life size), entitled 'Pleasing Thought', with pedestal to same; and #268 - 'Startled Horses', a panel in high relief, showing a group of horses' heads, with a bracket (Official Record, p.15). Mackennal (1832-1901) was a locally prominent architectural modeller and sculptor, located at 105 Collins Street East when the medal was awarded. He and partner James Scurry were contracted to work under the supervision of Charles Summers on plaster figures and decorations for Parliament House, Melbourne. He also made figures for the facades of many other Melbourne public buildings, including the old Meat Market, the Law Courts and the Windsor Hotel.

Physical Description

A bronze prize medal of the 1873 exhibition awarded to J.S. Mackennal. It features a female representing the Colony of Victoria standing three quarters left before rural and industrial scenes; around, INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION * 1873 *; in exergue, DITISSIMA TERRA , the artist's name J.HOGARTH FEC. and the designers name O.R. CAMPBELL DES.

Obverse Description

Female representing Colony of Victoria standing three quarters left before rural and industrial scene; around, INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION VICTORIA * 1873 *; in exergue, DITISSIMA TERRA / J.HOGARTH FEC. / O.R. CAMPBELL DES.

Reverse Description

Within wreath - / PRIZE / MEDAL / -

Edge Description

Stamped, J.S. MACKENNAL, MEDALLION

Significance

Designed by Julius Hogarth, who moved from Sydney to Melbourne to work for Stokes and Martin. The company was awarded the commission for the 1873 Victoria International Exhibition medals. The medal was designed by O.R. Campbell, who later collaborated with Hogarth on the fine Melbourne-Philadelphia Exhibition medal of 1876. -Sharples, John P. 1990. Medals as art: Australia and the Meszaros tradition, p.16. -D. Tout-Smith 17/9/2003.

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