item details
NameGreat Exhibition Medal
ProductionUnknown; maker/artist; 1851; England
Classificationmedals
Materialsmetal
Techniquesmetalworking, striking
DimensionsOverall: 2mm (depth), 26mm (diameter)
Registration NumberNU006345
Overview
Commemorative medal of the 1851 Great Exhibition. The obverse depicts the bare head of Prince Albert facing right with the legend “HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE ALBERT”. The reverse depicts a view of the Crystal Palace with the inscription “THE GREAT EXHIBITION OF ALL NATIONS LONDON 1851 ORIGINATED BY H.R.H. PRINCE ALBERT / LENGTH 1848 FT BREADTH 408 FT HEIGHT 66 FT”
The Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace was a huge temporary structure built to house the Great Exhibition in 1851. It was made up of many large sheets of glass on an iron frame, taking the form of a glass house. Its height was emphasised inside the building by trees and statues.