1829 Thomason's Vase 52mm bronze medal BHM 1359 UNC

Obv: the vase standing on a pedestal, THE THOMASON METALLIC VASE 21 FEET IN CIRCUMFERENCE & 5 FEET 10 IN. IN HEIGHT.

Rev: another view of the vase, BEGUN IN THE 54TH YEAR OF KING GEORGE III AND COMPLETED IN THE FIRST YEAR OF KING GEORGE THE IV.

By E Thomason

52mm

Bronze

The copy of the Warwick Vase was the greatest production of Sir Edward Thomason (1769-1849), who was among the foremost of Birmingham craftsmen. The original marble vase was excavated in Italy c 1770 and dates to between 118 and 133 AD. It was 170 cm high and 150 cm in diameter and weighed about 3.5 tons. In 1788 the Earl of Warwick installed it in a special greenhouse at Warwick Castle where it remained until 1979, when it was purchased by Glasgow Museums and Art Galleries. Completed in 1820, the copy was cast in iron with brass handles and a decorative finish, and Thomason issued a medal to commemorate the event.