TOPIC:

Recently acquired from two separate sources, I now have two versions of a very nice design which was presumably commissioned following the end of the conventional stage of the Anglo Boer War prior to the commencement of the guerilla phase!


Each fob bears the identical design detail and measure 27mm in width and 40mm from the bottom to the top of the suspension loop. The suspension ring adds approximately another 7mm to the overall height.
The legend to the edge of the obverse face reads: "1899 1900 SOUTH AFRICA FOR QUEEN & EMPIRE"
This around an ellipse wherein Tommy Atkins resides rather like a sentry in a sentry box! Flanking the ellipse we find the union flags and laurel leaves. The whole surmounted by a crown attached to the suspension loop.
Rather attractive enamelling embellishes the design.



In my humble opinion, this example appears to be white metal, possibly sterling silver (no hallmark). Note the enamel being free from damage, and the enamel present on the jewels of the crown.
I think this one is of superior quality to the other.


This one appears to be of gilt metal construction and still retains the gold brightness from it's manufacture. There is no enamelling to the laurel leaves or to the jewels on the crown. I suggest that they were never there from the beginning as there is no trace left at all, as with the 'silver' medal having no white enamel dividing panels between it's surrounding legend.



The reverse holds a rather crowded but pleasing arrangement of six busts of Boer War personalities. Queen Victoria central and surrounded from 12 o'clock clockwise by Lord Roberts, Lord Kitchener, Baden Powell, General Sir George White and General Redvers Buller.
Very little flattening of the noses of these individuals would suggest that this fob was hardly worn.



Identical design to the reverse of the gilt version. Again retaining the gold brightness, but some worn off on facial features.


I have not come across this design before and internet searches have drawn a blank thus far.
They certainly seem to be of much better quality than the usual commemorative fobs and medallions that I come across.

I do not have a copy of Hern (one on my shopping list!), and so have no idea if it is described in that publication.

Any comments from the forum would be most gratefully received, particularly concerning manufacturer and whether they were offered for sale to the general public.

Cheers Steve

Steve,

I don't know much about these.

The same design can be found on the handles of silver teaspoons with the maker's mark "M&B", for Marples & Beasley, Birmingham. Marples & Beasley also made military badges during WWI and WWII. I have one of the spoons with the word "Worthing" engraved on the bowl, which was presumably sold as a souvenir for that town.

The pendants come in at least two different colours (blue & white).

Listed in Hern in both silver and gilt-bronze (No 526). No furher details provided.







..

Thank you very much Neville, I now have a couple of leads to chase up.
I note the different colourway on the gilt bronze example you have posted, probably a good deal of variation in colour and usage of the design.
Cheers Steve

One more thing.

Marples & Beasley used the same central motif in their designs for two gold tribute medals: those for Ellon (Aberdeenshire) and the Haworth Conservative Club (West Yorkshire).





Ellon Tribute Medal

Haworth Conservative Club Tribute Medal

..

Marples Beasley a Birmingham manufacturer as usual with these items.