Medal for good conduct of the Barnardo’s Homes for Orphans, early 20th century, United Kingdom

The obverse depicts groups of seven figures. The central place of taking an adult, a woman dressed in a toga, long hair raised in a bun, which probably represents the personalization of Grace. She is surrounded by children whose beautiful clothes and the items they wear indicate their profession. In the background, there is a boy carrying a hammer and a wicker basket with tools on his shoulder. Then a girl with a robe wearing an umbrella and a purse. In front is a boy in sailor clothes with a hat on his head. Behind the central figure the head of a girl wearing the hat of a cook or a maid can be seen, and heads of two other girls are in the background. In front of the personification of Mercy are three poor figures, a woman, a child and a man who are naked, barefoot, in rags, with drunken faces, in the pose of offering a petition. The male figure is bent, tiny and shown in profile. A woman with loose hair is kneeling and holding the hand of the personification of Mercy with both hands. The figure of a boy kneeling on his knees and stretching his arms towards Grace is the only one shown from behind. Around the text flows in a circle: “WHOSO SHALL RECEIVE ONE SUCH LITTLE CHILD IN MY NAME RECEIVETH ME”. This is verse 18:5 of the Gospel of Matthew from the King James Bible, or the English translation of the Bible from 1611. On the reverse in an open laurel wreath flows the text: “DR. BARNARDO’S HOMES”/ PRESENTED / TO / FREDERICK BRATTEN / FOR / GOOD CONDUCT / AND / LENGTH OF SERVICE”. Bottom, left, stamp, silver purity, 925R, right: STERLING.

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