The Burmah Medal, 1824–26 1826

This bronze medal, The Burmah Medal, was crafted by William Wyon in the early 19th century. The artwork is dominated by the figures of a lion and an elephant in profile; a flag bearing the Union Jack behind the lion, and palm trees flanking the elephant. The medal is visually striking due to its use of high relief, where the figures project boldly from the surface. The composition plays with ideas of power and subjugation. The lion, symbolizing Britain, stands erect, while the elephant, representative of Burma, is seated and appears subdued. The animals face each other, creating a visual tension, a kind of symbolic stand-off. The backdrop of palm trees adds a layer of exoticism, situating the scene in a distant, colonial landscape. The lines of the design are crisp and precise, typical of the Neoclassical style, while the bronze material lends a sense of permanence and authority. Notice how the artist has arranged the figures to not just represent a historical event but to encode a visual hierarchy reflective of colonial power dynamics. These elements work together to construct a narrative about Britain's imperial reach.