![Photo of Queen Elizabeth II Silver jubilee dish laid upon the dish's matching red felt box. The cool-to-touch silver dish has engravings upon its face including the royal mark of Queen Elizabeth the Second, 'EIIR' under surmounted by St Edward's crown, '1952' on the left of the dish, 'Royal Australian Army Nursing Cross' is embossed within an oval central press, surmounted by St Edwards crown, in the centre of the oval is a Nightingale oil lamp, across the bottom of the central oval is a scroll embossed with the motto 'Pro Humanitate' Latin for 'For Humanity'. Underneath the central embossment and aligned with the royal Elizabeth sigil is an engraving of the dates '1902 - 1977' [seemingly this date was engraved after the making of the dish, it is unknown how long after the presenting of the dish the engraving was added.] Underneath those dates are engravings/marks of silver, nickel and makers quality marks. Upon flipping the dish over, on the slight foot of the dish is an embossing of 'Nickel Silver' and an engraving of the silver quality number '49'. The red felt box lid is also pictured, white satin with soft cushioning to protect the dish when closed. This photograph is taken upon a black background, with a scale card and object number included.](/media/collectors/64a5077bc83bd7b7b94f4211/items/67d1436203274031f6b50116/item-media/67d1462403274031f6b51496/VictorianCollections-large.jpg)
Historical information
The Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal was awarded to citizens in the Commonwealth (Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand) for their healthcare/nursing services. This ceremonial dish appears to serve the same or similar purpose to the medal, it is unknown whether the dish was awarded, or whether it was purchased and customised to reflect the respect of service that the medal from the same year served.
Significance
This dish is peculiar, which in turn increases the significance of the object. Though similar to the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal in social purpose, it is less historically significant. However, due to the nature of the collection at large, this object is of medium to high significance. Additionally, it may be a crucial object in reflecting thoughts, feelings and social organisation of Australian nurses.
Physical description
Nickel silver dish with several engravings and embossing, small dish foot, shallow dish, including Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps logo upon the centre of dish.
Inscriptions & markings
'EIIR' (Royal Elizabeth the Second sigil.)/[surmounted by St Edward's Crown]/'1952'/'Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps'/[surrounding Nightingale oil lamp, surmounted by St Edward's Crown.], 'Pro Humnitate'/[scroll embossing.]/'1902-1977'/'D-M S'[Makers mark]/Lion passant mark [indicates a fineness of 925/1000 sterling silver]/British silver hallmark [Leopard face that indicates the London Assay Office]/'C'[Denotes the date of silver pressing, capital C indicates 1977.]/Portrait of Queen Elizabeth the Second [Duty mark reflecting a tax on precious metals collected between 1784 and 1890 and that the tax had been paid.]
On the base of dish: 'Nickel Silver' [material]. / '49'.
