Summary

Australia Victoria Melbourne
Medal - Melbourne International Exhibition Prize Plaster Reverse Pattern 1880 (AD)
Artist: Altmann, Ernst A

Other Details: This is the original plaster for the reverse of the 1880 Melbourne International; Exhibition prize medal obverse. It features a crowned figure of Victoria standing facing holding a shiels and spear; in the background on the left is a view of the Royal Exhibnition Building and an anchor; on the right is a rural scene including a kangaroo and ferns; on a wide exergue line, ADVANCE AUSTRALIA; in the exergue hand written in lead pencil, the artist's name, E A ALTMANN Sc. Altman won the prize for designing the best medal, but it was considered too difficult for the Melbourne Mint to produce. For the obverse design see NU 20759 and NU33456; for Stokes competition entry which has the same reverse see NU20384. The Melbourne International Exhibition ran from 1 October 1880 to 30 April 1881. The exhibition building that still stands was constructed for the occasion, designed by Joseph Reed and built by David Mitchell. Over 1.3 million people visited the exhibition at a time when Melbourne's population was only around 282,000.

Physical Description

A plaster proposal for the reverse of the 1880 Exhibition prize medal; it features within an ornate border of srches and beads a crowned figure of Victoria standing facing holding a shield and spear; in the background on the left is a view of the Royal Exhibnition Building and an anchor; on the right is a rural scene including a kangaroo and ferns but with a small mine and factory in the mid field; on a wide exergue line, ADVANCE AUSTRALIA; in the exergue hand written in lead pencil, the artist's name, E A ALTMANN Sc.

Obverse Description

Within an ornate border of arches and beads a crowned figure representing Victoria standing, facing, holding a shield and spear; in the background on the left is a view of the Royal Exhibnition Building and an anchor; on the right is a rural scene including a kangaroo and ferns but with a small mine and factory in the mid field; on a wide exergue line, ADVANCE AUSTRALIA; in the exergue hand written in lead pencil, the artist's name, E A ALTMANN Sc.

Reverse Description

Plain

Edge Description

Plain

More Information