Color: Black and White; Size: 8w x 10h; Type of Image: Object; Medium: Photographic print
Type:
Photographic print
Object
Date:
c. 1847 or later
Category:
Historic Images of the Smithsonian
Notes:
See brochure from the Office of Architectural History entitled, 'The Smithsonian Seal: Symbol of the Institution.' The medallion was originally attributed to the Italian artist Antonio Canova, but the "T" mark on the medallion identifies it as created by Pierre Joseph Tiolier.
Summary:
The first seal authorized by the Smithsonian Executive Committee of the Board of Regents, February 24, 1847. It was created by the engraver Edward Stabler, based on a bronze medallion portrait of James Smithson attributed to the Engraver General of France, Pierre Joseph Tiolier (1763-1819), which was part of Smithson's estate brought to this country in 1838 by Richard Rush. Edward Stabler designed the engraving on steel based on the Smithson medallion and a design by Smithsonian Regent, Robert Dale Owen. The seal is engraved with a profile view of the neo-classical bust of James Smithson, and the words Smithsonian Institution across the top and 1846 across the bottom. It remained in use until a new seal was designed in 1893.
Contained within:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 66, Folder: 2
