Received the Albert Medal in 1958 'to mark Her Majesty's personal service to arts, manufactures and commerce, at home and abroad'
medal\n\n
From an engraving presented to the Society by a fellow
The figure of Minerva, representing arts, is holding a shield bearing the Gorgon's head and a spear. Three statues were commissioned by Sebastian de Ferranti, a former Vice President of the RSA, to be installed on the pediment of the house as originally proposed by Robert Adam, the architect. The figures were made by Plowden and Smith.
The figure representing manufactures and commerce is carrying English broad cloth to rocky shores. The figure of Ceres is holding a young oak tree. symbolising an early interest in agriculture by the Society. By her feet is a harpoon for catching whales, an invention and industry encouraged by the Society at that time. Three statues were commissioned by Sebastian de Ferranti, a former Vice President of the RSA, to be installed on the pediment of the house as originally proposed by Robert Adam, the architect. The figures were made by Plowden and Smith.
The passage entrance leading to the court and the Society's premises (1759-1774) can be seen in the centre of the picture.