Object Number 1959.0558

Object Name

Medal (Award or premium)

Category

Metals

Credit Line/Donor

Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont

Place of Origin

Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, New England, United States, North America

Date

1812

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Inscription; Obverse; "Rowson's Academy/ Hollis St/ Boston/ 1812" engraved in script
2. Inscription; Reverse; "Best/ Flower" engraved in script

Subjects

Education; School

Materials

Silver

Techniques

Engraved

Dimensions (inches)

1.25 (H) , 1.25 (W)

Dimensions (centimeters)

3.18 (H) , 3.18 (W)

Measurement Notes

OH without loop.

Object Description

Web - 09/13/2017

This small silver premium or prize medal for "Best Flower" was likely engraved to recognize a young lady's flower painting skills. Such awards were presented during the annual exhibition of students' work at the Young Ladies' Academy operated by Mrs. Susanna Rowson in Boston. Young ladies who boarded at the Academy studied reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, astronomy, use of globes and maps, and composition. For extra costs, needlework, painting and musical arts were offered. "Flower" painting was mentioned with figure and landscape painting as part of the curriculum in 1812.