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medal is reported to have been fabricated in 1797, and given by the Colonel
to soldiers of this regiment.
BANTRY BAY MEDAL.- A stormy sea, with ships in distress; above, a
lion's head, from which a storm blows. AFFLAVIT DEVS ET DISSIPANTVR.
In the exergue, JAN MDCCXCVII and MOSSOP. Reverse.- A Crown with
FRIENDLY ASSOCIATION BANTRY GARRISON, surrounded by a wreath of lilies.
Size, 1·6. Struck in silver and bronze. Lord Bantry possesses one in
gold.
This medal was made for a local club, the members of which desired
to commemorate the dispersion of the French invading fleet off Bantry
Bay by storm.
ORDER OF ORANGE AND BLUE.- Altar, with bundle of arrows passing
through an imperial crown, inscribed on a garter, QUÆ INVIDET MINOR
EST, and on a ribbon, VIS UNITA FORTIOR. Reverse.-An altar, with star
and the Brunswick Horse, inscribed, GLO PRI AVG, and immediately
under the star, NON DEFICET ALTER. On the hexagonal sides of the altar,
QUA DIE NOV (4th day of November), and a rose. Size, 1·2. I have seen
it struck in gold and bronze. Mr. J. Woodhouse has the dies, which
are of inferior workmanship, and do not bear Mossop's name. In the
"British Museum Catalogue of English Medals," No. 24, p. 486, vol. ii.,
this is described as the badge of a club, instituted, in 1727, by officers of
the King's Own Regiment of Foot, to commemorate the Revolution, and
Accession of the House of Hanover. Three varieties are mentioned.
By Mossop's son it is termed a "Hanoverian Society" medal, and it
differs in slight particulars from all contained in the British Museum
Catalogue.
ORANGE ASSOCIATION.- Bust of William III., in armour, to left; THE
GLORIOUS AND IMMORTAL MEMORY 1690, and also MOSSOP. Reverse.-The
British arms, with supporters. A lion above the crown, KING AND CONSTITUTION,
and the name of MOSSOP. Size, 1·65. Struck in silver and
bronze, and repeatedly re-engraved by other medallists. The Reverse is
in Mr. J. Woodhouse's possession. Made in 1798.
HON. HENRY ST. GEORGE COLE.- This medal is described as consisting
of the figure of Hibernia, struck in thin metal, from the Royal Irish
Academy die, and soldered on, the inscription being TO HENRY ST GEORGE
COLE, ESQ. Reverse.-In centre, FOR SPIRITED AND SUCCESSFUL EXERTIONS IN
SUPRESSING CONSPIRACY AND TREASON, and around this, A TRIBUTE OF GRATEFUL
LOYALTY. The medal in the Royal Irish Academy has not the
"Hibernia." It was a presentation by the gentry to Mr. Cole, for his
exertions in 1798.
MASONIC SCHOOL MEDAL.- A beautifully designed group of three
infants and a mother, resting on a cross and anchor. Reverse.-Masonic
emblems. Oval, 2·6 by 2·2. Struck in fine bronze proofs, and said to have
been made in silver gilt, and worn by "Prince Masons:" this is a mistake.
It was designed and used as a prize medal of the Dublin Masonic
School, founded in the year 1790, which was located in Domville-lane,
Prussia-street, and provided for twenty orphans. The design for it was
furnished by Edward Smith, the sculptor, and I possess the original wax
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model made by Mossop. I have likewise a cast medal in iron. Mr. J.
Woodhouse owns the obverse die. I have also a bronze medal with the
Masonic emblems alone, which might be worn appropriately by any
mason, and probably gave rise to the mistake mentioned.
COLLEGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.- This appears an appropriate place to
record the earlier and rarer medals of the College Historical Society, of
which two are known to me, and in my possesion.
No.1. A draped figure, holding a lyre; behind her is a short column,
on which she rests. The inscription is, THE BANISHED MUSES SHALL NO
LONGER MOURN Reverse struck-THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY IN THE UNIVERSITY
OF DUBLIN ADJUDGED THIS MEDAL. The rest is engraved- "Mr. John Ryan,
for his Superior merit in history, on Wednesday, the 28th of January,
1784." Above is engraved also -"Lux Rerum Historia." Struck in
silver. Size, 2·4. Mr. Ryan is registered as B.A. in 1785, and M.A. in
1788.
No.2. A female draped figure, erect, and facing slightly to the left,
holding a wreath and a trumpet, emblematic of fame. The motto, SVME
SVPERBIAM QVÆSITAM MERITIS. In exergue, ROBERTSON. The reverse is
struck blank for engraving. My specimen has the following inscription-
"LVX HISTORIA RERVM. THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY IN THE UNIVERSITY
OF DUBLIN ADJUDGED THIS MEDAL JULY 1ST 1789 TO RICHD MOORE FOR HIS
DISTINGUISHED MERIT IN ANSWERING HISTORY. Size, 2·4. Struck in silver.
MOSSOP'S MEDAL.- A group of three figures emblematic of History,
Oratory, and Poetry; hour-glass. books, &c. On the ground to right an
altar, inscribed HOMER, and behind a rock, from which Pegasus springs.
In the centre the rostrum of Rome, with ship's prow. Inscription- VOS
LENE CONCILIVM ET DATIS ET DATO GAVDETIS ALMÆ. In exergue, MOSSOP. F.,
and INST A.D. MDCCXCIV. The reverse inscribed, HISTORICA SOCIETAS COLLEGII
DUBLINIENSIS, inside an olive wreath, and on a raised ring, MORES
HOMINVM MVLTORVM VIDIT ET VRBES. In the centre is engraved the name
of the successful candidate, and the subject, either History, Oratory, or
Poetry, the die being made with three movable central portions, one,
for each special subject. The earliest impressions struck (about 1801)
have the inner ring engraved with sunk letters; afterwards the lettering
is elevated, being struck out from the die. Size, 2·2; in silver. There
is a gold proof in the Royal Dublin Society, and one in bronze in the
British Museum.
MOSSOP'S MEDAL (ALTERED STATE).- Obverse, the same as originally
struck. Reverse.-An eight-rayed star, with the College Arms, surrounded
by an inscribed garter. The specimen I possess has PROPTER ARTEM
PROSAICVM FELICITER EXCVLTVM. Outside is engraved the candidate's name
and date; below are olive wreaths, and in large letters, HISTORICA SOCIETAS
COLLEGII DUBLINIENSIS. Size, 2·2; in silver. The original dies becoming
worn, the obverse was re-engraved, and this new reverse made by Mr.
W. Woodhouse, about 1847, after a design prepared, I believe, by
Dr. Aquilla Smith.
The Historical Society was founded in 1770, for promoting the study
of history and elocution. It consisted of college students of long standing,
and Fellows as honorary members. In 1792 it was remodelled, or
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revived, as the "Junior Historical Society, "the meetings being held in
rotation in the members' rooms. When a member obtained above fifteen
commendations in oratory, he was entitled to a silver medal, and a medal
was also given at the monthly examinations in historical subjects. In
1794 it incurred the displeasure of the University Board for admitting
a Rev. Mr. C., who had been expelled from college. The Board censured
one of the members, and threatened to expel any student attending
meetings of this society outside the college walls. The use of the
College hall was also withdrawn, and the members hired the exhibition
room in William-street for their assemblies. Tone, Emmet, John Sheares,
James M'Cabe, Peter Burrowes, and others at this period, were prominent
members, and several were suspected of using the society for political
purposes. This led, after a College Visitation by Lord Clare in 1798, to
its temporary extinction; it, however, revived about 1810, and continues
with varying prosperity to the present time, becoming again an extern
society in 1821, and subsequently recognized once more as a university
association. Gold and silver medals are still given, those for oratory
having blue; for composition, white; and for history, crimson ribbons.
DUBLIN SOCIETY MEDAL.- Hibernia seated with spear and helmet,
holding a Copia, and leaning on a shield with harp, resting on books,
and marked DUBLIN SOCIETY; her foot is placed on a bundle of fasces.
Motto-NOSTRI PLENA LABORIS. In exergue to right, MOSSOP F. Reverse.
-Blank. An oval medal ; size, 2·2 by 1·9 ; struck in silver and
gold for premiums. The beauty of this medal is well displayed in an
early bronze proof. The die is in Mr. J. Woodhouse's possession. It
was finished about 1802, and has been repeatedly re-engraved by other
hands. In Whitelaw's History of Dublin it is stated to have been
W. Mossop's last medal, which is not correct.
MEDALS OF THE FARMING SOCIETY OF IRELAND.- The larger medal
represents a cow, bull, sheep, and pig of improved breeds, and a plough,
inscribed, QUÆ CURA BOUM QUI CULTUS HABENDO SIT PECORI. In exergue,
FARMING SOCIETY OF IRELAND INSTITUTED, MDCCC., ; and to left in field,
MOSSOP. Reverse.-Blank centre; at top, STUDIUM QUIBUS ARVA TUERI,
and below a copia and palm branch crossed by a sickle. Size, 2·2.
Given in silver, and occasionally in gold, as a premium.
THE SMALLER MEDAL has a plough, and above, FARMING SOCIETY; below,
OF IRELAND, INSTITUTED MDCCC. Reverse.-Wreaths of wheat and MEMBER
FOR LIFE. Size, 1·4; struck in silver, and worn by the members of the
society. The specimen I possess has the obverse struck from a die
of Mossop's; and the reverse has his son's initials.
MERINO LAMB MEDAL.- I have seen this only with W. S. Mossop's
name.
NAVAN FARMING SOCIETY.- Two bulls' faces; the upper one, having
a wreath of shamrocks and corn, represents a bull of the improved breed;
the lower one, a bull of the old stock. Reverse.- NAVAN FARMING
SOCIETY. In centre - CROPS TO INCREASE AND CATTLE TO IMPROVE AND
TO BENEFIT THE POOR. Underneath-INSTITUTED MDCCC. Said to have
been made 1802. Size, 2·2.
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IRISH ORDNANCE MEDAL.- A shield emblazoned with three cannon balls
and three cannon; at the sides, flags and war-like devices; above, the
harp and royal crown, with palm and laurel wreaths, inscribed, ORDNANCE,
and beneath the shield, Mossop.
I believe this medal was first struck with a blank reverse and afterwards
the royal arms were added, having above the crown a lion, and
beneath a ribbon, with the usual motto, MOSSOP FECIT. The reverse
essentially consists of a replica of the royal arms found upon Mossop's
Orange Medal; but the ribbon is altogether different. Size, 1·7. Struck
in silver and bronze, with ring for suspension. I possess a silver seal,
with the arms of the Irish Ordnance Department, similar to the above
medal, which is likewise evidently the work of Mossop.
WILLIAM STEPHEN MOSSOP.
WILLIAM STEPHEN MOSSOP, JUNIOR, was born in Dublin in 1788,
and educated at the academy of Samuel White, where several distinguished
Dublin men received their early training. He was, in 1802,
placed in the Art Schools of the Royal Dublin Society, under Mr.
Francis West, the master of the Figure School, and became afterwards
his private pupil until the unexpected death of his father
obliged him, at the age of sixteen years, to commence practising his
future profession for a livelihood. His first work was a medal for the
Incorporated Society for Promoting Charter Schools in Ireland, which he
began under his father's directions, and it was finished soon after, before
he was seventeen years of age. His art studies were resumed for a time
under Mr. West; and, in 1806, young Mossop was commissioned by the
Farming Society of Ireland to prepare a medal for their shows, which
was likewise intended to be worn as a badge by their life members. In
1810 he designed and struck a large-sized medal to commemorate the
fiftieth year of the reign of George III., and in 1813 received the premium
offered by the Society of Arts for a die intended for a school
medal. This was afterwards purchased from him by the Feinaglian
Institute and employed as their premium medal. In the succeeding
year (1814) he competed again, with success, in accordance with an
advertisement of the Society of Arts, who promised to purchase the die,
but afterwards neglected to do so. The design which he prepared was a
fine head of Vulcan.
Mossop followed the process adopted by his father when designing
the model of the future metal die he intended to engrave, using a preparation
of bees-wax, melted and softened with turpentine, coloured white by
the addition of flake white, or brown with oxide of iron. He spread this
tempered wax upon a piece of glass or slate, adding and working in successive
portions until the design was completed to his satisfaction. Several
models prepared by him in this manner are in my possession, which
evince his skilful manipulation and freedom of touch. With the care of a
genuine artist, when the human figure was intended to be reproduced, he, as
a preliminary stage, represented it in a nude condition, to secure a natural
and correct rendering of the postures and relative measurements of the
individual parts; afterwards the needful draperies and other accessory
embellishments were added and worked over. Such models were made
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