1938/168.1

The Gormogon Medal 1799.

Classification:- Non Masonic; Miscellaneous

Description

"OBVERSE: Head and shoulders half to left of the Emperor of China, with long drooping moustaches, in a rich embroidered coat and a high hat. Around, C • Q • KY • PO • OECUM • VOLG • ORD • GORMOGO a Maltese cross at the top. Below, in cartouches extending beyond the edge, AN: REG/XXXIX The whole is surmounted by a dragon, which serves for the attachment of a ring.

REVERSE: The blazing sun, with face, 16 rays, alternately straight and curved, interspersed with radiations. Around, UNIVERSUS SPLENDOR• UNIVERSA • BENEVOLENTIA In the cartouches at the base, AN:INST/8799

Little is known of the organisation, probably a Jacobite Club, which took the name of the Gormogons. It seems to have achieved some prominence at about the time when the Duke of Wharton, Past Grand Master, having taken offence at the proceedings of Grand Lodge at the election of the Earl of Dalkeith in 1723, became a member of it; after which period little was heard of it, to judge from surviving records. This medal, however, so far as can be ascertained from the very insufficient evidence, seems to belong to the closing years of the i8th century, probably about 1795, though there is no other evidence of its activity in the latter half of the century. The inscription on the OBVERSE:, extended, reads, Chan Quaw Ky-Po, Oecumenical Volgee of the Order of the Gormogons."

Properties

42 X 74 mm. Silver (electrotype).