Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Pair of Oval Glazed Medallions for Presentation to West African Chiefs, comprising coloured images of Queen Victoria, and King Edward VII, each set in a glazed oval case with silver surround, and with Union Flag reverses, approx. 50mm. by 65mm., loop suspension, the image of King Edward foxed and deteriorated, otherwise generally in good condition and rare (2) £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Richard Magor Collection of Medals Relating to India and Africa, and other Fine Awards.

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Collection

Ex Spink, 13 December 1984.

During the European ‘Scramble for Africa’, when the British opened up the Hinterland of Ashanti and the Gold Coast Colony, and other regions in the west, many treaties of friendship and protection were signed with assorted Chiefs. As part of the ritual of the day, it is believed that these images of the ‘Great White Queen’, and her son, King Edward, were presented to said Chiefs to wear on a cord suspended from the neck. Later on they were replaced by the more impressive struck silver medals.