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Description: | 854 Working model Air Force medal E.Carter Preston Liverpool
whole: oval
design : Hermes, helmeted and cloaked, standing facing right on the back of a hawk in flight. He holds a laurel wreath in his extended
right hand and a caduceus in his left. The whole surrounded by a narrow wreath of laurel which forms an ornate edge to the piece. At the
centre of the upper edge a Tudor rose
suspender : whole: ornate bar in the form of a winged bomb
Preparatory study in plaster, with some later modelling especially of edges, by Edward Carter Preston (1885-1965) for
the design of the Air Force Medal - a gallantry award for the RAF. Carter Preston's model was ultimately chosen as the basis for medal
production (1918). The imagery of the design is said to have been deeply influenced by the style and iconography of Greek coins of the
classical period, and Carter Preston's employment of classical motifs and allusion was in part inspired by the encouragement of G F Hill
(Keeper of the Coins and Medals Department at the British Museum, who later, 1922, became a member of the Royal Mint's Advisory Committee).
Design submissions in plaster were considered far more useful than drawings. The plaster model was more versatile insomuch that it could be
photographed and reduced to the actual medal size. This is one of five medallion plasters by Edward Carter Preston held by the Department
of Art, see also MEDP/3, MEDP/22-24.
For a full description of this gallantry award and documentation details see catalogue record OMD 202 (British Orders, Medals and
Decorations) held by the Department of Exhibits and Firearms. | Publisher: | http://www.iwm.org.uk | Subjects: | Royal Air Force medals / orders / decorations commemorative | Source: | Imperial War Museum | Creator: | Carter Preston, Edward | Identifier: | http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/o... | Go to resource |
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