Percy Metcalfe
| Percy Metcalfe | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born | 14th January 1895 Wakefield, England, United Kingdom |
| Died | 9th October 1970 |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Royal College of Art, London |
| Notable work |
Ashtead Pottery Collection. Barnyard Collection |
Ashtead Pottery Collection.
Percy Metcalfe, CVO, RDI (14 January 1895 Wakefield - 9 October 1970 Fulham Hospital, Hammersmith, London), (often spelled Metcalf without "e") was an English artist sculptor and designer. He is recognised mostly for his coin designs and his contribution to the Ashtead Pottery Collection.
He was born on the 14th of January 1895 and died on the 9th of October 1970 in Fulham, London. Metcalfe joined the Leeds School of Art in 1910 as a general artist. He moved to sculpting and designing objects as an art form at the Royal College of Art in London. Here he was influenced by Francis Derwent Wood who he worked with and was mentored by.
Metcalfe designed the first coinage of the Irish Free State in 1928.
The first Irish coin series consisted of eight coins. The Harp was chosen as the obverse. Metcalfe was chosen out of 6 designers as the winner of the reverse design of the Irish Free States Currency. The Horse, Salmon, Bull, Wolf-Hound, Hare, Hen, Pig and Woodcock were all on different denominations of coinage that was known as the Barnyard Collection.
He was responsible for the design of the George Cross in 1940, particularly the head of King George VI on it. The George Cross is second in the order of wear in the United Kingdom honours system and is the highest gallantry award for civilians, as well as for members of the armed forces in actions for which purely military honours would not normally be granted. It also features the flag of Malta in recognition of the island's bravery during the Siege of Malta in World War II. Metcalfe also designed the Great Seal of the Realm. He produced designs for coinage of several countries including Ireland and Australia. He created a portrait of King George V which was used as the obverse for coins of Australia, Canada, Fiji, Mauritius, New Zealand and Southern Rhodesia.
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