Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Inchiquin (1614-1674), silver portrait medal, 1646, by Abraham Simon, signed AS on truncation, armoured bust of Lord Inchiquin left, wearing lace cravat and sash, rev., legend and title as Lord President of the Province of Munster, 36mm. (MI 324/161; Eim. 150; Platt II, pp. 242-43; Brady 14-15, this piece). Cast and lightly chased, with old trace of mounting-mark at top, good very fine and very rare.

The Earl of Inchiquin fought against the Catholic Rebels in Ireland in 1642 before changing to the Parliamentary forces. He was ruthless in the sacking and burning of several towns, earning the nickname "Murrough of the Burnings". He cleared the Catholics from Cork, Youghal and Kinsale. The medal's reverse gives him the title of Lord President of the Province of Munster. On the Restoration he transferred his allegiance once more to the Crown but by then he was regarded as a traitor by both sides. He visited Rome seeking pardon from the Pope for his past atrocities and spent his remaining years in penance. The emergency coins issued in Ireland by the Lords Justices in 1642 are sometimes called "Inchiquin Money". For an account of the the medals, see Gerard Brady, The Lord Inchiquin Medal of 1646 (Abraham Simon), Numismatic Circular, March 1989, pp 41-43.

Provenance: Morton & Eden, 20-21 May, 2003 (lot 1154); ex G. D. Paterson, Christie's, 25 November 1969; ex C. Hughes Hartmann Collection, Glendining's, 27 May 1957 (lot 221).