Another Mystery Silhouette

[Daft Bat]

The following is from my friend Tim's collection. He has no clue as to who it is but would be interested in whether or not anyone is able to identify the medals/awards in the picture.

Thank you!

 

[Archie's Mum]

They look Napoleonic.

 

[Archie's Mum]

They look Napoleonic.

I initially thought ‘Légion of Honour’ but they are apparently 5 pointed stars. So back to Mr Google.

 

[AnnB]

The large medal on the left with the straight edges to the cross looks like the Victoria Cross.

 

[Bay Horse]

I thought Victoria Cross.

I'm no expert, of course.

 

[Daft Bat]

I ruled out the VC as that was not introduced until 1856 and I think that the chap looks more Georgian... I think...

 

[AnnB]

I ruled out the VC as that was not introduced until 1856 and I think that the chap looks more Georgian... I think...

I must admit I didn’t think this chap looked as if he was pictured in the 1850’s, but I really can’t find any other medal that looks like that. Can you ask Tim what date he reckons the silhouette might be, after all he’s had plenty of practice I suppose it’s possible that the medals aren’t his …..

 

[Daft Bat]

Will do....

 

[Daft Bat]

Does anyone think that it could be Lord Melbourne? (1779 - 1848)

There are some pictures of him online...

 

[AnnB]

Possible, but I can’t find mention of him receiving any medals

 

[mugwortismy cat]

I was thinking it could be a DSO but that is much more modern, 1886 onwards

 

[Archie's Mum]

Cross not star, over crossed swords with laurel wreath in the centre and everything I find is 20th Century and German, so far. Which is not what we want. But I think it might be European.

 

[Sis]

@Daft Bat Would it be possible to get a close up of the medals/awards do you think?

 

[Daft Bat]

@Daft Bat Would it be possible to get a close up of the medals/awards do you think?

Not sure that it helps much but...

 

[Daft Bat]

Can you ask Tim what date he reckons the silhouette might be

1810 - 1820 he reckons.

 

[Archie's Mum]

Well I believe the front one is the eight pointed Maltese Cross. I have looked everywhere for that era medal with that cross and swords and nothing fits that I can see.

 

[Archie's Mum]

Searching around there are a few more recent Knights Templar medals/badges that look very similar to the front one.

 

[AnnB]

1810 - 1820 he reckons.

Well, that certainly rules out the VC

 

[Archie's Mum]

I’m now thinking that they are Regimental badges.

 

[MollyMay]

Do we have to factor in some 'poetic licence' to these medals? They were obviously important to the poser, and to me do not appear to be in proportion, nor in hanging position (as would be when worn). They almost appear an afterthought and added where they would fit on the jacket. There is no way you could wear the bar with the 4 smaller medals on it, in the position it sits. I would hazard a guess that to produce an exact copy of the correct size for the portrait would be an almost impossible task, and render them an unimportant extra, whereas these almost dominate the bottom half of the portrait.