Lot 753

Description

Victoria Agricultural Society, 1858, three handcrafted medals in silver (56mm), double convex discs in a decorative ring frame with swivel ring suspension, engraved on obverse, fantasy Australian Coat of Arms between a cast beehive and wheat sheaf, below, an engraved plough over 'Speed The Plough', first medal inscribed on reverse 'Extra prize / Victoria Agricultural Society' and 'Oats / Awarded to / Jas.Bryden / April 21st / 1858' within handworked wreath; the second medal inscribed on reverse 'First Prize / Victoria Agricultural Society' and 'Early Potatoes / Awarded to / Robt.Laidlaw / April 21st / 1858'; the third medal inscribed on reverse 'First Prize / Victoria Agricultural Society' and 'Cape / Barley / Awarded to / Mr Bostock / April 21st / 1858'. One other example of this medal type, dated 1862, is known to exist, in a private collection. Good very fine and extremely rare. (3)

Provenance These three medals originally hung on a wall in the home of John Pascoe Fawkner and are believed to have been awarded to workers, tenant farmers or friends of Fawkner's. Passed down to legaties of Fawkner, they remained in the family until being purchased by the current owner at Christies Sale in August 1998 (lot 409). The first agricultural society, the Pastoral and Agricultural Society of Australia Felix was formed in 1840. From this other agricultural societies were formed including the Victoria Agricultural Society, in Heidelberg, in 1850.