The Maria Edgeworth Visitor Centre & Museum in Edgeworthstown, County Longford, is proud to announce the acquisition of a historically significant artefact that will soon take pride of place in its collection—the Honora Edgeworth medallion. This exquisite piece, designed by the renowned British sculptor John Flaxman R.A. and crafted by the famous ceramicist Josiah Wedgwood, is set to become a key highlight of the museum, As a result, the Centre further solidifies its status as a must-visit destination in County Longford.
In 1780, Richard Lovell Edgeworth of Edgeworthstown commissioned the medallion to honour his late wife, Honora, who tragically passed away at the age of 29. As a close friend of Josiah Wedgwood, Richard Lovell requested twelve medallions featuring Honora’s likeness. However, the whereabouts of the other eleven medallions remain unknown, with the exception of a proof copy currently held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
The medallion was previously part of the prestigious Stanley F. Goldfein collection in the United States. Goldfein, a respected member of the Wedgwood Society of New York and an authority on Wedgwood ceramics, built an extraordinary collection over his lifetime. After his passing at the age of 100 in 2023, his collection became available to collectors and museums worldwide, and the Honora Edgeworth medallion was one of the prized pieces auctioned at Bonhams Skinner in Boston, USA, this past July.
The Maria Edgeworth Centre was able to acquire the medallion thanks to the generosity of a collector in Virginia, USA, who had originally purchased it at the Bonhams Skinner auction and kindly agreed to sell it to the Centre. This acquisition was made possible through the generous support of John and Deborah Edgeworth, assisted by Longford County Council and Ballymahon Municipal District, which enabled the Centre to secure this important piece for its collection.
The Edgeworth medallion is an exceptionally rare piece, especially since 18th-century Wedgwood works rarely appear on the market. Thus, by acquiring this medallion, the Maria Edgeworth Centre not only enriches its collection but also reaffirms its commitment to preserving and showcasing items of profound historical and cultural significance.
Looking ahead, the museum will carefully assess and prepare the medallion for public display. Once exhibited, it will join other internationally significant acquisitions, providing visitors with a unique insight into the rich history of the Edgeworth family and the broader cultural heritage of County Longford.
In conclusion, the addition of the Honora Edgeworth medallion further enhances the Maria Edgeworth Centre’s reputation as a premier attraction in County Longford. With its growing collection of rare and important artefacts, the museum continues to honour the legacy of Maria Edgeworth and her family, ensuring that their stories and contributions remain accessible and appreciated for generations to come.
This article was updated on 14/03/2026 to include details of the medallion’s acquisition.
2 responses
Concerning the Wedgwood medallion: I have been a dealer in Wedgwood for 50+ years. As such, all sorts of information concerning the subject eventually pass my way. I think it must be an oversight on your part not to mention the kindness of a fine collector of Wedgwood medallions in the state of Virginia, USA. For indeed, you did not purchase the rare medallion from the Bonham’s auction, but from the collector, who agreed to allow you to obtain this rarity, leaving a coveted hole now in his collection. Without his kindness, you would still be searching – as he is doing once more. (He has not complained. It is I who noticed this absence of information. He is satisfied that it has found its proper home in your museum.)
Thank you very much for your thoughtful message regarding the Wedgwood medallion. You are entirely correct that the medallion was acquired from a generous collector in Virginia following the Bonham’s auction, and we sincerely apologise for the oversight in our blog post.
The original article was written with the information available to the author at the time, and it unfortunately did not reflect this important detail. We greatly appreciate you bringing this to our attention and will ensure that the blog is updated to properly acknowledge the kindness of the collector, whose generosity made this acquisition possible.
Thank you again for your careful observation and for sharing your expertise with us.