Rare Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee & Heirs Medal by Bowcher for Spink 1897

Here on offer is a rare silver plated antique medallion suspended from a red, white and blue ribbon, made by the famous English goldsmiths, SPINK of London, to commemorate Queen Victoria’s 60 years, Diamond Jubilee in 1897 . It was designed by Frank Bowcher (1864-1938) born in Islington, the son of the etcher, cartoonist and draughtsman Henry Bowcher (the name is sometimes spelt "Boucher"). He was one of the most important pupils at the National Art Training School and also studied in Paris. He produced a medallic portrait of the Khedive of Egypt in 1886: in the following year the Royal Mint commissioned him to produce designs for Egyptian coinage. After that he received similar commissions — "from the City of London for the Visit of the King and Queen of Denmark, the Opening of Tower Bridge and the Diamond Jubilee; from the Geological Society for the Joseph Prestwich medal; and from the Royal College of Science for the Thomas Huxley memorial medal..and many more. In 1903, following the death of George William de Saulles, Bowcher stepped in to finish the great seal of Edward VII". Bowcher was a founder-member of the Royal Society of British Sculptors, and a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy. As his obituary in the Times noted, "He was a prolific artist, but as a great deal of his work was small in scale it was not very familiar to the public.... his reputation was made chiefly as a medallist and designer of seals".

On the front this medallion has a raised profile of Queen Victoria in the centre which is then surrounded the following details:

VICTORIA

QUEEN AND EMPRESS

TO COMMEMORATE THE 60^TH YEAR

OF HER MAJESTY’S REIGN

It is signed F. BOWCHER below the portrait.

Then on the reverse it has cameo portraits of:

 H.I.M. QUEEN VICTORIA

H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES

H.R.H. THE DUKE OF YORK

 H.R.H. PRINCE EDWARD

It also has the following legend:

MAY GOD PRESERVE OUR QUEEN

AND THE HEIRS TO THE THRONE

At the centre of the portraits, it reads:

JUBILATE BRITANNI

On the reverse it has the Registered Design number RD 235996, this indicates the year the design was registered. Beneath the portraits of the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York it has the makers information: SPINK LONDON

The medallion is suspended by a red, white and blue silk ribbon.

It's in reasonably good condition overall, the base metal has notably worn exposing the darker grey base; notable scuffs and scratches too commensurate with age as well as notable dents around the outer edge but as shown all adding to the aged charm and character of the piece. It measures approx. 3.8cm in diameter.

Please see pictures for more details.

Thanks for looking and Happy Bidding!

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