Scottish Agricultural Prize Medal – Ayrshire Herd Book Society Cow & Bull Calf Solid Silver c.1890s
Victorian Scottish Agricultural Prize Medal – Ayrshire Herd Book Society (Cow & Bull Calf) – Solid Silver – c.1890s – In Original Fitted Case 🐄🏅
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Description ✨
A substantial and visually impressive Victorian Scottish agricultural prize medal, featuring a richly modelled cow & bull calf scene within a working rural landscape 🌾🐄. The central design is framed by an elaborate openwork border combining thistles (a strong Scottish national emblem) 🌿🏴 with Celtic-style knotwork, giving the piece excellent cabinet presence and a highly decorative silhouette 💫.
There is also evidence of original gilding to the medal ✨🟡, visible in protected areas and recesses, adding depth and warmth to the overall finish.
The reverse is clearly inscribed “AYRSHIRE HERD BOOK SOCIETY”, firmly anchoring the medal to the world of pedigree recording and breed promotion—exactly the sort of award associated with late-Victorian agricultural shows and breed society prize-giving 🏅📜.
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The Show & Historical Context 🌾🏅
During the late Victorian period, agricultural shows were major public occasions—part competition, part commerce, and part social prestige 🎪👥. Breeders entered cattle into formal classes where animals were judged on type, conformation, and overall quality, with awards presented in public prize-giving ceremonies 🐄✅. Medals and trophies were not merely souvenirs: they were visible proof of recognised excellence, often displayed prominently and used to reinforce reputation and support future sales 🏆📈.
Herd Book societies sat at the centre of this system. By recording pedigrees and promoting breed standards, they helped convert breeding claims into documented lineage 📚🖋️. That is why an award tied specifically to a Herd Book Society carries extra resonance: it reflects the Victorian move toward formalised bloodlines and the professionalisation of livestock breeding 🧬🏅.
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Maker / Mark Context (Henry Griffith & Sons Ltd – Birmingham Assay Office) 🏭🪙
The medal carries the maker’s mark for Henry Griffith & Sons Ltd, a long-established precious-metal workshop founded in Birmingham in 1850 🏙️⚒️. The Birmingham connection aligns with the firm’s origins and the wider Birmingham precious-metal trade.
Please note: while the maker’s mark is present, the medal is not fully hallmarked (no complete visible UK hallmark set including assay/date letter) 🔍❗.
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Metal & Professional Verification 🧪✅
Despite not being fully hallmarked, the medal has been professionally tested using a Thermo Scientific Precious Metal Analysis instrument, returning a reading of approximately 99.681% pure silver (Ag) 🔬🥈, with a certificate retained 🧾.
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Date 🕰️
Offered as c.1890s (Late Victorian)—best-estimate dating based on style and context; exact year unconfirmed due to the absence of a complete assay/date-letter hallmark set 📅.
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Dimensions / Weight 📏⚖️
Approximate measurement of the medal is 64 mm diameter and 68.4 g (please refer to photographs, which form part of the description) 📸.
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Original Presentation Case 🎁🧳
Accompanied by its original fitted presentation case, finished in leatherette with a classic silk and velvet interior 🧵✨—a particularly desirable survival that enhances display and collectability. The case measures approximately 9.5 cm wide by 9.5 cm deep; height approx. 2 cm 📐.
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Why You’ll Love It ✅💚
✅ Big display impact: large-format medal with an openwork border that catches the light beautifully ✨
✅ Cow & bull calf motif: classic rural symbolism with excellent period charm and strong modelling 🐄🐂
✅ Evidence of gilding: attractive traces of original gilt finish add warmth and depth 🟡✨
✅ Named maker: Henry Griffith & Sons Ltd mark (Birmingham connection) adds confidence and collectability 🏛️🪙
✅ Professionally verified silver: Thermo Scientific analysis reading 99.681% Ag with certificate 🧪📄
✅ Distinctly Scottish character: thistles + Celtic-style ornament deliver immediate national identity 🏴🌿
✅ Original case included: fitted leatherette case with silk/velvet interior makes it display-ready and ideal as a gift 🎁
✅ Multiple collector markets: Scottish silver, agricultural history, prize medals/exonumia, breed society memorabilia 🧑🎓🪙
✅ A genuine conversation piece: a tangible link to Victorian show culture and livestock improvement 🗣️🏅
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Condition ✨
Good antique patina condition overall, with surface marks and gentle age-related tarnish consistent with age and authentic use 🥈⏳. Any patina is part of its period character and enhances the antique look 🌙. Please review all images carefully 📷👀.
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Provenance 📌
From a notable Northern shire dealers’ Yorkshire collection 🧳🏴. Professionally tested with certificate retained ✅. Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD 🏷️.
