Society of Arts, Mercury and Minerva Medal
This is the first premium medal of the Royal Society of Arts and was awarded in gold and silver for work in arts, manufactures and commerce. It was designed by James “Athenian” Stuart. Elizabeth Ilive (d. 1822) was the mistress of George Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont (1741-1837), Petworth House. Elizabeth, known as “Mrs Wyndham”, shared the Earl’s interest in science and together they would entertain friends from artistic circles at Petworth, Elizabeth often conducting chemical experiments. This prize was awarded for her invention, the “cross-bar lever”, which she designed to improve the lifting of weights. Elizabeth bore the Earl seven children and eventually they married in 1801, but separated two years later.
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