Marriage of Victoria and Albert

Art Historical Context

This silver medal, crafted by British medallist Benjaminon in 1840, commemorates the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Measuring just under two inches in diameter, the work belongs to the long tradition of commemorative medals, which served as portable records of important royal events. Wyon, from a prominent family of engravers, specialized in such official pieces, often employing precise profile portraits on the obverse and symbolic imagery—such as coats of arms—on the reverse. The union of Victoria and Albert marked a pivotal moment in British history, celebrated across the empire through prints, ceremonies, and medals like this one. Produced in silver, the medium lent both durability and prestige, allowing the object to function as both a work of art and a lasting token of loyalty. Its small scale made it suitable for private collections or as a gift among the nobility. Today, the medal offers visitors a tangible connection to the early Victorian era, highlighting how art and statecraft intersected to shape public memory of the young queen’s marriage.

About the Artist

Benjamin Wyon · 1802–1858

British, London 1802–1858 London