The Reform Bill 1832

This medal, commemorating the British Reform Bill, was created by Benjamin Wyon in the 19th century, likely in a metal like bronze or copper. Consider how its imagery is achieved through striking and die-cutting. A blank disc of metal is placed between two hardened steel dies, each incised with a mirror image of the design. Enormous pressure is then applied, imprinting the image onto the metal. The resulting crispness of detail speaks to the skill of the die cutter, who would have worked in reverse. The hardness of the metal makes this an indirect engagement. These commemorative medals were originally conceived as a mark of political achievement, but also speak volumes about industrial production. The Reform Bill itself extended voting rights, responding to social pressures brought on by the Industrial Revolution. Meanwhile, the medal embodies the very same forces of technology, labor, and capital. It's a perfect example of how materials and making intertwine with the social context of their creation.