It displays all the decorative detail you could hope for in a substantial Edwardian-era piece. The front has a wonderful openwork design centred around a large blank shield-shaped cartouche, framed by an intricately hand-decorated border. The shield is surrounded by a beautifully executed wreath of foliage, with crossed elements, decorative engraving and a striking crown above. The combination gives the piece an almost heraldic quality and makes it far more impressive than the more conventional circular medals we tend to see.

One of our favourite features is that the central shield remains completely unengraved. Finding an antique medal of this age without a previous inscription is a real bonus, allowing it to be enjoyed exactly as it is or potentially personalised with initials, a date or a meaningful inscription of your own. The reverse is clearly hallmarked for 15ct Gold, with Birmingham assay marks dating the piece to 1901, alongside the J.G&S Makers Mark for John Grinsell & Sons. The firm was a highly regarded Birmingham manufacturer, making the Makers Mark another lovely detail for collectors of quality British antique jewellery.

At approximately 38mm by 31mm, excluding the bail, this is a generously sized medal with fantastic presence when worn. Despite the intricate pierced construction, it weighs a substantial 7.7 grams, giving it a lovely quality and feel in the hand.

The warm colour of 15ct Antique Gold is particularly beautiful. With its higher gold content than 9ct, it has a rich, mellow tone that has developed wonderfully over more than 120 years. The fine engraved details throughout catch the light without taking away from the bold silhouette of the piece.

Pieces like this are exactly why we love antique jewellery: beautifully made, wonderfully individual and