POST MEDIEVAL MEDALLION

1820

This object appears to be a 19th-century confirmation medal as manufactured by the Woodhouse die-engraving business established in Dublin in the 1820's and active for many decades. The medallion depicts multiple religious symbols portraying on the obverse a Teutonic style cross with alternating long and short lines suggesting the radiating sun. The reverse again shows the radiating sun with a sword projecting through a bible, the empty cross, the 10 commandments, a Bishops mitre, a chalice and palm fronds all projecting from what appears to be an altar. The legend around the centre of the obverse is 'YOU WERE SIGNED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE' from Ephesians, 1, 13. Also on the obverse in the right corner the legend 'IHS' is clearly stated derived from the Greek word IHSOUS for Jesus referring to Iesus Hominum Salvator which is commonly shortened to the three letters. On the reverse the legend around the centre is probably, 'MEMORIAL OF CONFIRMATION'. There are two equidistant countersunk holes on the medal which were not integrally cast and appear to have been drilled later presumably to mount the object and another hole that appears to have been punched through the medal which could represent damage or a crude attempt to wear the medal on a chain. The diameter is 38mm.