The Wheeler Medallion
- Artist: EMERSON; Robert Jackson (1878 - 1944)
- Production Date: 1918
- Production Period:
- 20th century (1900-1999)
- First World War (1914-1918)
- Object Name: Sculpture
- ObjectNumber: S75
- Brief Description: A medallion showing three figures stood in a group with the words Muriel et Charles, the figure at the back of the group is an angel.
- Description: This medal was designed by Emerson to commemorate the wedding of his two former students, Muriel Bourne and Charles Wheeler. It is inscribed with 'to Muriel et Charles from Bob 1918'. Emerson was affectionately known as `Bob' by his students and friends. The central angel figure holds together the hands of a male and female figure, representing Charles and Muriel, symbolising their love and commitment. Sir Charles Wheeler is one of Wolverhampton's most famous artists. He was a pupil of RJ Emerson and studied at Wolverhampton School of Art. Later he went on to study at the Royal College of Art and gained an international reputation as a sculptor. He specialised in portraiture and decorative sculpture for monuments and public buildings including work at The Bank of England, the Jellicoe fountain in Trafalgar Square and India House. He was president of the Royal Academy of Art 1956-1966.
- Description: There are many works by Wheeler in London, dating from the 1930s through to several only placed in 1975, the year after his death. From the 1930s are his figures for the Bank of England, including those on the front, and the figure of Ariel on the dome at the corner of Princes Street and Lothbury Street. The gilded Springbok on South Africa House also dates from this period (1934). His most familiar work is the western fountain figures (1948) in Trafalgar Square (the eastern ones are by William McMillan), and the portrait sculpture of Jellicoe in the Square is also by him. In the 1950s he produced the monumental figures Earth and Water on the modern MOD building in Horseguards Avenue, and in George Square off Lombard Street is his Poseidon group of 1969. In the same square is his Hercules and the Lion (1970s), and in Lombard Street itself is his St George and the Dragon. A Mary of Nazareth, also put up in 1975, is in St James Piccadilly.
- Colour: Bronze
- Material:
- Bronze
- Tags:
- For more information contact: Wolverhampton Arts and Museums Service
