ANTIQUE 1879 SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION WYON PRIZE MEDAL T WEBB SONS SILVER PLATED ON COPPER
A superb antique 1879 SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION PRIZE MEDAL, designed and struck by the celebrated London medallists:
J. S. & A. B. WYON
and awarded / engraved in connection with:
T. WEBB & SONS
with reference to a:
SECOND AWARD
This substantial medal is finished in:
SILVER PLATE OVER COPPER
and commemorates the landmark:
SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION
NEW SOUTH WALES
1879–1880
A particularly desirable combination of Australian exhibition history, British medallic art and the renowned Thomas Webb & Sons glassmaking firm.
Details
Event: Sydney International Exhibition
Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Date: 1879–1880
Medal Date: 1879
Engravers: J. S. & A. B. Wyon
Recipient / Firm: T. Webb & Sons
Award: Second Award, as inscribed
Material: Silver-Plated Copper
Type: Official Exhibition Prize / Award Medal
Please refer to the photographs for the exact diameter, weight, edge inscriptions, recipient engraving and condition.
Sydney International Exhibition 1879
The:
SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION
opened in 1879 and was the first major international exhibition held in the Australian colony of:
NEW SOUTH WALES
The exhibition showcased:
INDUSTRY
MANUFACTURING
FINE ARTS
TECHNOLOGY
AGRICULTURE
DECORATIVE ARTS
from Australia and numerous international exhibitors.
It was housed in the spectacular:
GARDEN PALACE
in Sydney.
Garden Palace
The medal’s imagery is closely tied to the Sydney exhibition and includes architectural symbolism connected with the:
GARDEN PALACE
the grand exhibition building erected specifically for the event.
The building became one of the most recognisable symbols of the exhibition before its destruction by fire in 1882.
Obverse Design
The obverse features an allegorical female figure representing:
NEW SOUTH WALES
holding a:
LAUREL WREATH
and shield bearing colonial heraldry.
Around her are symbols associated with:
ART
INDUSTRY
COMMERCE
AGRICULTURE
PROGRESS
with the exhibition architecture visible in the background.
Inscription
The medal carries wording relating to:
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION
SYDNEY N.S.W.
MDCCCLXXIX
for:
1879
and may also display the historic New South Wales motto:
ORTA RECENS QUAM PURA NITES
often translated approximately as:
NEWLY RISEN, HOW BRIGHTLY YOU SHINE
Please use the photographs as the definitive guide to the complete wording.
J. S. & A. B. Wyon
The medal was designed / struck by:
JOSEPH SHEPHERD WYON
ALFRED BENJAMIN WYON
of the celebrated London firm:
J. S. & A. B. WYON
The Wyon family was one of the most important dynasties in British medal and coin engraving during the 19th century.
Their work included:
OFFICIAL MEDALS
EXHIBITION AWARDS
ROYAL COMMISSIONS
COINS
TOKENS
and Wyon-signed medals are highly collectable today.
T. Webb & Sons
This example is connected with:
T. WEBB & SONS
the famous English glassmaking firm based in:
STOURBRIDGE, WORCESTERSHIRE
Thomas Webb & Sons became internationally renowned for luxury:
CUT GLASS
CAMEO GLASS
DECORATIVE GLASSWARE
EXHIBITION PIECES
and participated in major international exhibitions during the 19th century.
The presence of the T. Webb & Sons inscription gives this medal particularly strong crossover appeal to collectors of British art glass and industrial history.
Second Award
The medal is associated with a:
SECOND AWARD
to T. Webb & Sons.
This appears to indicate the level of recognition received by the company at the exhibition.
Please use the photographs as the definitive guide to the precise recipient and award wording.
Silver-Plated on Copper
The medal is described as:
SILVER-PLATED COPPER
rather than solid silver.
Over time, silver-plated exhibition medals can display:
TONING
PLATING WEAR
COPPER SHOWING THROUGH
DARKENING
SURFACE PATINATION
which is entirely consistent with age.
The underlying copper may be visible in areas of wear, especially around high points and edges.
Exhibition Award Medals
International exhibition medals were prestigious objects awarded to exhibitors in recognition of:
DESIGN
CRAFTSMANSHIP
INNOVATION
MANUFACTURING QUALITY
Named or attributable examples are especially appealing because they can often be connected directly to notable firms and industries.
Collector Appeal
This medal should appeal to collectors of:
Sydney International Exhibition
1879 Australia
J. S. & A. B. Wyon
T. Webb & Sons
Thomas Webb Glass
Exhibition Medals
Australian History
Victorian Medallic Art
Silver-Plated Medals
19th-Century Industry
Highlights
SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION 1879
J. S. & A. B. WYON
T. WEBB & SONS
SECOND AWARD
SILVER-PLATED COPPER
Official exhibition medal type
New South Wales allegorical imagery
Garden Palace association
International industrial history
Major British glassmaking connection
Strong Australian and Victorian collector appeal
A highly desirable antique 1879 Sydney International Exhibition Wyon medal, associated with T. Webb & Sons and their exhibition award, combining Australian, British and decorative-arts history.
Condition & Attribution
The medal is in honest antique condition with wear consistent with age and handling.
Please inspect the photographs carefully for any:
SILVER-PLATE WEAR
COPPER EXPOSURE
SURFACE SCRATCHES
TONING
PATINATION
EDGE KNOCKS
RUBBING TO HIGH POINTS
GENERAL AGE-RELATED WEAR
where visible.
The material is described as silver-plated copper based on the supplied information and appearance.
The attribution to J. S. & A. B. Wyon, the Sydney International Exhibition and T. Webb & Sons should be confirmed from the visible inscriptions and edge / reverse details.
The wording Second Award is retained as supplied and should be read directly from the medal photographs for exact phrasing.
Please use the photographs as the definitive guide to the recipient inscription, award wording, dimensions, weight, plating and overall condition.
🖼️ Item Condition:
This item is in honest antique condition. I’ve included detailed photographs to show the condition, size, weight, inscriptions, plating and patina, so please review them carefully before placing your bid.
This is one of several fantastic lots I have available this week. Whenever possible, I’m happy to combine shipping to help you save on costs.
🛍️ Take a look at my other collectables—everything is up for sale at a no-reserve 10-day auction. If you're interested in multiple items, I’m more than happy to combine postage. Please note that for international customers using eBay's Global Shipping, we are sadly unable to combine postage.
All my items are fresh to the market and offered with no reserve, so be sure to add me to your favourite sellers to stay updated on future listings. Follow for more items each week.
🌍 International buyers are welcome. I offer and only use eBay’s Global Shipping Program.
I take great care in packaging to ensure your item arrives in the same condition it left me. Your satisfaction is very important to me, so if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m always happy to help.
📌 Payment Details:
All purchases must be paid for within 2 days of the auction ending. If you need extra time, just send me a quick message, and we can work something out. Otherwise, an automated case will be opened.
Thank you so much for visiting my listing and bidding on my items—I truly appreciate your support.
💌 Happy Bidding & Good Luck
— Hannah 😊