Irish family of medallists. William Mossop (b Dublin, 1751; d Dublin, 28 Jan 1805) trained as a die-sinker in Dublin and made button and seal dies for the Dublin Linen Board before turning his attention to medals. His first medal, portraying the actor Thomas Ryder (silver, bronze and gilt bronze, 1782; see Brown, no. 242), is an accomplished piece, especially given Mossop's lack of training in this field. In the 1790s he worked for the Dublin firm of Camac, Kyan & Camac, cutting dies for its copper halfpenny. He also produced dies for seals and worked in ivory and precious stones. Some of his medal designs are borrowed, but many are original works. His Cunningham medal (gold, silver and bronze, 1776; see Brown, no. 267), an award given by the Royal Irish Academy and portraying its founder James Caulfeild, 1st Earl of Charlemont, is one of the finest of Irish medals. His son William Stephen Mossop (b Dublin, bapt 22 May 1788; d Dublin, 11 Aug 1827) trained under the teacher Samuel Whyte (1733-1811) and later at the art school of the Royal Dublin Society and under Francis West (?1749-1809). His first medal die, for the Incorporated Society for Charter Schools in Ireland, was engraved under the direction of his father. His medals include commissions from societies, military medals and a number of political medals, including one of Daniel O'Connell (silver, bronze and white metal, 1816; see Brown, no. 914), and a projected series of distinguished Irishmen. Of the series, only five medals, including those of Jonathan Swift (silver, bronze and white metal, 1820; see Brown, nos 1049-50) and Richard Brinsley Sheridan (bronze and white metal, 1820; see Brown, no. 1048) were completed, but they show Mossop's mastery of the Neo-classical style.
See the Abbreviations for further details.
