Coronation of King George IV (1762–1830)
Medium
Gold
Dimensions
Diameter: 36 mm
Classification
Medals and Plaquettes
Culture
British, London
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Assunta Sommella Peluso, Ada Peluso, and Romano I. Peluso, in memory of Ignazio Peluso, 2001
Accession Number
2001.217.1
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite gold medal, titled *Coronation of King George IV (2–1830)*, commemorates the lavish 1821 coronation of Britain's King George IV at Westminster Abbey. Crafted by the renowned Italian-born engraver Benedetto Pistr in collaboration with The Royal Mint in London, captures the opulent spirit of Regency-era Britain. At just 36 mm in diameter the medal features a detailed profile portrait—evident from its tags—symbolizing royal authority and the continuity of the Hanoverian dynasty following George III's long, troubled reign. Pistrucci, a master of neoclassical engraving, employed precise intaglio techniques to achieve the medal's sharp relief and lifelike features, hallmarks of high-quality British numismatic art. Produced in gold, a noble medium reserved for elite commemorations, it exemplifies the plaquette tradition in European decorative arts, blending sculpture's dimensionality with coin-like portability. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, this piece—generously gifted in 2001—offers visitors a tangible glimpse into 19th-century royal pageantry and the artistry of London's mint. A testament to George IV's extravagant rule, it invites reflection on monarchy's enduring cultural symbolism.
About the Artist
Benedetto Pistrucci|The Royal Mint · 1783–1855
Italian, 1783–1855, active England