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Academy Medal: CM.89-2005

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An image of Academy Medal
Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Die-engraver: Wyon, William
Issuer: Royal Academy of Music

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Description

The Royal Academy of Music began as a London boarding school specialising in musical tuition and was founded in 1822. In 1830 it was awarded a charter by King George IV and became the Royal Academy of Music as it now exists. From the Academy's inception medals were awarded to students for good conduct, and the design of this medal was entrusted to William Wyon of the Royal Academy. Its depiction of Apollo is modelled on the Apollo Belvedere statue at Rome. The Academy stopped awarding the medals in the 1940s, however, as they had become too expensive to produce. This piece is a bronze specimen from the workshop of the designer, which was passed on to become part of the collection of his descendant Allan Gairdner Wyon, as part of which it has come to the Museum. As it bears the Academy's royal title it must, despite the signed date, be an update of the original medal from 1830 or shortly thereafter.

Notes

History note: From the estate of the late Mrs Venetia M. Watson, daughter of the artist's descendant Allan Gairdner Wyon

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (2005-01-31) by Watson, Philip Charles

Dating

Production date: inferred AD 1830

Note

Bronze specimen; reverse misstruck

Components of the work

Object composed of bronze Diameter 40 mm Die Axis 0 degrees Weight 29.8 g

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Bust of Apollo right with lyre in background in front of neck, artist's signature behind head

  • Location: Obverse
  • Type: Design

Inscription present: Laurel wreath with inscriptions around

  • Text: ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC // INSTITUTED 1822
  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.89-2005
Primary reference Number: 156603

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Tuesday 26 March 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Coins and Medals

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Academy Medal" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/156603 Accessed: 2025-12-21 11:14:44

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/156603 |title=Academy Medal |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-21 11:14:44|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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