| Product
Code |
: |
PUD NO_859-2 AE |
| Subject | : | Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy - Death |
| Size | : | 52 mm |
| Metal | : | Copper |
| Year | : | 1859 |
| Description | : | obv. Bust of Sir Jeejeebhoy facing three-quarters left and wearing the brimless hat of the Parsi, encircled by : SIR JAMSETJEE JEJEEBHOY BART 1857. Signed : B. WYON, rev. Within wreath : BORN / 15 JULY 1783 / DIED / 15 APRIL 1859.
Sir Jeejeebhoy wears the traditional Parsi hat, an intricate turban-like affair, not much worn today. (The last Parsi hat maker died in 1981). The spelling of Jeejeebhoy on this medal drops an ‘e’ and is the less common spelling. Benjamin Wyon had died in November 1858, this bust of Sir J.J. was completed in 1857 for the Grant Medical College medal. The reverse of this medal was executed by Wyon’s son who carried on the family business.
The recognition of the Parsis position in Indian society was made explicit when Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy was knighted in 1842, and given a Baronetcy in 1857, the first Indian to receive this honour. He was involved in many public and charitable works, among which were the Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy School of Art, the Sir J.J. Hospital, the Lady Jamsetjee Causeway and he was associated with Grant Medical College. |
