FIFTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DEPUTY- MASTER AND COMPTROLLER OF
THE ROYAL MINT, 1922. (H.M. Stationery Office. 5s. net.) It is gratifying to notice that steps are being taken to attain a higher level of artistic merit in the production of our medals and coins. One of the chief difficulties with which the Mint has had to contend has arisen from the fact that, since the replacement of the older process of direct engraving by the reducing machine, designs have often shown, in particular, a lack of feeling for medallic processes, and have been conceived more in clay than in metal. Designs, therefore, which had in the large plaster model a certain artistic quality often became - very unsuitable when they were reduced to the small steel :(Continued on next page.) punch necessary for the striking. The authorities of the Mint are now trying to revive the interest of both public and artists in the art of medal and coin striking—an art which has deteriorated so much in recent years. They advocate a greater use of medals for presentation purposes, and are willing to strike such medals for private bodies. In their endeavour to attract artists to this neglected medium of expression, the " Standing Committee, appointed to advise on matters connected with the designing and preparation of seals, coins, medals and decorations;" might be urged to direct its attention to some of the younger sculptors who have worked directly on the actual material, rather than to those sculptors who have always relied on professional -reproducers for the renderi'ig of the -clay sketch into the final material. The dependence of the latter on second-hand manipulation of mechanical device has made them incapable of conceiving
their designs in the material in which the sculpture will be ultimately realized. The Mint should have liberal support in this attempt to improve the aesthetic side of its productions-- for what constitutes more truly " an Art Gallery of the People " than the coinage, medals and decorations of the country ?
Previous page
