Ancient, British and World Coins, Historical Medals and Banknotes

Miscellaneous, An extremely unusual cast and engraved uniface cruciform silver medal, an urn in the centre, floral decoration either side, the upper and lower arms of the cross engraved with the figures ‘89’ and ‘99’, and ‘S’ and ‘B’ engraved on the two arms either side of the central medallion, a cast and chased pendant of a poodle suspended from the lower arm, the date 1909 on a panel in the centre, without hallmarks or maker’s mark. Very fine, rather crudely made but of vigourous and spirited workmanship, traces of gilding to the poodle

The vendor of this curious and intriguing piece has suggested it may be a memorial medal for someone’s favourite pet and described it humourously as “the Grand Order of the Silver Poodle.” Although it is tempting to dismiss this suggestion as far-fetched, in fact the theory has much to recommend it. The devotion of some humans to their animal companions is well known and the creation of a medal in remembrance of a much loved pet might be seen as eccentric but is by no means unfeasible behaviour. Although it would be more usual to bury a pet, it is possible the urn in the centre may have been a receptacle for the dog’s ashes or perhaps contained some other memento of the animal; while the dates suggests it lived from 1889 to 1899. The poodle pendant suspended from the lower arm may have been added later, perhaps on the tenth anniversary of the beloved SB’s death. The medal was sent from the United States from where it may have originated.