Opening van het gebouw voor de Internationale Tentoonstelling te Londen 1851 1851

This silver medal by Allen & Moore commemorates the opening of the building for the International Exhibition in London, 1851. Its circular form, with a diameter of just over 5 centimeters, presents a study in contrasts between royal portraiture and industrial architecture. On one side, the conjoined profiles of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are framed by an elaborate wreath, symbolizing royal authority and tradition. The opposite side depicts the Crystal Palace, a marvel of modern engineering, surrounded by throngs of people. The building's specifications are inscribed below, emphasizing its immense scale and technological achievement. The medal functions as a semiotic device, juxtaposing the established order of monarchy with the burgeoning power of industry. The choice of silver as a medium lends the piece a sense of both preciousness and modernity. The medal destabilizes traditional notions of power, suggesting a shift towards a society increasingly shaped by innovation. It serves as a potent reminder of the transformative forces at play in Victorian England.