Government, Victoria, Centenary, Medal, Andor Meszaros, 1951
Summary
Hungarian-born Andor Mészáros studied architecture and sculpture in Vienna and Paris, and was also clearly inspired by his mother, who was a sculptor. After his studies Mészáros returned to Hungary, but with the clouds of war gathering over Europe, he immigrated to Australia in June 1939, with his young family soon to follow.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Mészáros received large commissions, predominantly with a Christian theme, and between these he designed hundreds of medals, including this medal, which the Government of Victoria commissioned for the centenary of Victoria's separation from New South Wales in 1851. The pictorial element of Mészáros's design symbolises 'equality and justice through freedom', a human-rights aspiration also inscribed on the medal. The man holding the torch aloft represents equality, the blindfolded woman with the sword represents justice and the horse with its broken its shackles represents freedom. The medal was minted by Melbourne firm KG Luke.
This text is based on Darren Burgess' essay 'City of Melbourne Numismatic Collection', available in full through the 'Explore' tab above.
