George II, 1683-1760, King of Great Britian 1727 [obverse] 1731

This bronze medal presents the profile of George II, King of Great Britain, crafted by John Croker. The laurel wreath adorning George II's head is a prominent symbol. This motif of the laurel wreath traces back to ancient Greece, where it crowned victors and emperors, embodying triumph and imperial power. Even in the Renaissance, we see its reappearance, carefully chosen to evoke the grandeur of antiquity. Here, it’s no different, a symbolic gesture that King George II is employing to link himself to the great leaders of the past. Yet, the wreath’s inherent symbolism has, subtly but surely, transformed across time. Initially, in the Greek context, it was the symbol of excellence and merit, not inherited power. Now, placed upon the head of a King, it speaks to the divine right, the natural order of leadership, and a certain ambition. The laurel wreath, rooted in memory and tradition, remains a potent vehicle for expressing the subconscious desires of power.