1867-1967
"BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE" Hong Kong, a commemorative medal or coin made
by Leslie Durbin of London England. It is approximately 5.2 cms in
diameter, in good condition and housed in its original box. There is some staining on the original presentation box. Please examine the photographs carefully.
John Samuel Swire established Butterfield & Swire in Shanghai, in
partnership with Richard Shackleton Butterfield. Initially trading in
tea and silk and British imports of cotton and woollen “piece goods”,
Butterfield & Swire also became an agent in China for a number of UK
businesses, including leading insurance and shipping companies – most
notably, the Blue Funnel Line, for which Swire was Far Eastern manager
for over 120 years. In keeping with local tradition, John Samuel Swire
chose a Chinese "hong" name for the company, and it is by the name
Taikoo (
太古) - meaning "Great and Ancient" – that Swire is most widely known in Asia today.
The
inscription on the medal is bilingual - in English and in Chinese. The
group's logo is etched on the English side and the Chinese name
"Taikoo" is centered on the reverse in Chinese.