102587 | GREAT BRITAIN. The Curse of Hermaphrodite cast bronze Medal.

102587  |  GREAT BRITAIN. The Curse of Hermaphrodite cast bronze Medal. Issued circa early 1970s (94mm x 80mm, 323.10 g, 12h). By R. Elderton at the Royal mint.

 

Nude male standing right, extending hand around waves, between which read (along with numerous hearts scattered about): THE CHILD / HERMAPRODITUS / WAS THE SON / HERMES AND APHRODITE, / THE RESULT OF A / SECRET LOVE AFFAIR / FOR THIS / REASON HE WAS / ENTRUSTED TO / THE NYMPHS OF / THE ISOLATED MOUNT IDA, WHO / ALLOWED HIM TO GROW UP AS A / WILD CREATURE / OF THE WOODS / AFTER HIS ENCOUNTER / WITH THE WATER NYMPH / SALMACIS, HE LAID A / CURSE UPON THE / WATER / ACCORDING / TO FABLE, ALL PERSONS WHO / BATHED IN THE WATER BECAME / HERMAPHRODITES // Nude female standing left, extending hand toward toward body of water among the woods, and from which rises a hand with a heart-shaped cut out in its palm; numerous hearts scattered about. Edge: RCE and some light marks as made.

 

De Geuzenpenning –. Essentially as Made. Deep brown surfaces, with some lighter hues upon the higher points and a delightful glossiness. An extremely rare offering of one of Elderton's earlier works.

 

Ex Paul Connor Collection of Modern Medals (acquired directly from Elderton).

 

This supremely interesting and extremely rare (we have not been able to locate record of another) touches upon classical mythology while also tying in to an early English prog rock band—Genesis. The medal's sculptor, Robert Elderton, was inspired by one of the band's tracks from their 1971 album, Nursery Cryme—an 8-minute long epic song entitled The Fountain of Salmacis. Here, Elderton presents a nude male and female upon each side, using the dual nature of the medal to symbolize the dual nature of the sexes that would be the curse for all who swam in those waters following the union of Hermaphroditus and Salmacis.

 

Upload: 1 May 2024.

 

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