Award of the Massachusetts Humane Society

Art Historical Context

This bronze medal, struck in the 19th century by British artist Benjamin Wyon, represents a fine example of the medallic art tradition. Measuring just over two inches in diameter, it was created through the precise technique of striking, which allows for sharp, detailed relief on durable metal. Wyon, part of a distinguished family of engravers and medallists, brought refined craftsmanship to such works, blending portraiture and symbolic scenes in a compact format suited for awards and commemoration. The medal’s imagery, including houses, hands, and ships, evokes themes of rescue and human connection, fitting its role as an award from the Massachusetts Humane Society. These elements highlight the society’s focus on lifesaving efforts, often at sea or during emergencies. As a piece in the Metropolitan Museum’s Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, it illustrates how British medallic traditions crossed the Atlantic to honor American humanitarian causes. Donated to the museum in 1907, this work offers visitors a tangible link to 19th-century values of bravery and public recognition, demonstrating how small-scale sculpture could carry significant cultural weight.

About the Artist

Benjamin Wyon · 1802–1858

British, London 1802–1858 London