Lot 422

Description

(Minesweepers Medallion), WWI, two uniface medallions in white metal (50mm), obverse side, fishing boat with mine in water behind the boat, with a crest at the base and with legend at the top, 'To The Fisherman Defenders/Of/Our/Coasts', on the reverse side, Britannia with shield and spearing serpents in the water and with legend, 'Vivant/Britannia', at the base is the designer's name, 'F. Gleichen 1917'. With sticky paper on reverse where they have been glued to board, otherwise extremely fine.

Made in two parts for displaying on the fishing boat. This rare medallion was issued to fishermen who had converted their boats into minesweepers during World War I. The designer, Lady Feodora Gleichen or Feo as her family and friends called her, took over her father's studio at St James Palace, London during World War I. She was the eldest daughter of a British Admiral, Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg a half nephew of Queen Victoria, who was also a sculptor and probably had a hand in asking her to design this medallion. One of her major relief works is found in Sydney at the Art Gallery of NSW and the 37th British Division Memorial at Moncey-Le-Preux in France is another of her superb works. She was awarded the French Legion of Honour in 1922 and after her death she was made posthumously the first female member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors and later an award was created in her name.