- Museum number
- G3,EM.73
- Description
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Silver medal. (whole)
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Bust of James II, left, laureate, hair long, in mantle across the breast; beneath, a rose. (obverse)
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A vixen setting fire to a tree in which an eagle has her nest; in the distance, another eagle is carrying off a fox's cub. (reverse)
- Production date
- 1689
- Dimensions
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Diameter: 60.000 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
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- Curator's comments
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Medallic Illustrations 1, published in 1885, states:
Rare.
The obverse of this medal was engraved for Medallic Illustrations 1, p630.51 (registration no. G3,E.M.72), struck in Holland by Ignatius White to commemorate the birth of Prince James. The title of Emperor, which was flattery when used by White, became bitter sarcasm when James II was a fugitive. The reverse represents the fox burning the eagle's nest in revenge for its having carried off one of its cubs. The intended application is not very apparent. The fox has been supposed to represent William III inflaming the kingdom to compel James to flight. It has also been supposed to represent the people of England driving James from the throne for having attempted, at least, to carry off their favourite children, Religion and Liberty.
See Rapin de Thoyras, Paul, ‘The Metallick History of the Reigns of William III and Queen Mary, Queen Anne, and King George I. [N. Tindal’s edition.], London, 1747, vi. 1; Van Loon, Gerard, ‘Histoire Métallique des XVII. Provinces des Pays-Bas’, 5 vol. La Haye, 1732-1837 (fol) [There is also an edition in Dutch, but with different paging], III. 371.
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David Le Marchand " An Ingenious Man for carving in Ivory"
"Obverse first used for a medal celebrating the birth of Prince James. The inscription IACOBUS II D.G. BRITANNIARUM IMPERATOR is ironic after James's defeat and exile"
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
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Exhibited:
1996-1997 2 Oct-5 Jan, Leeds, City Art Gallery, David le Marchand 1674-1726 An Ingenious Man for carving in Ivory
1996 23 May-15 Sep, London, British Museum, David le Marchand 1674-1726 An Ingenious Man for carving in Ivory
1996 7 Mar-6 May, Edinburgh, National Gallery of Scotland, David le Marchand 1674-1726 An Ingenious Man for carving in Ivory
- Associated events
- Associated Event: Arrival of James II in France
- Acquisition date
- 1825
- Department
- Coins and Medals
- Registration number
- G3,EM.73
- Additional IDs
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Miscellaneous number: H18
- C&M catalogue number
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MB1 (Medallic Illustrations 1) (652) (7)
