Historic Irish Medal

This is a very beautiful medal.
An original bronze award medal from the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland (RHSI), dated 1930. It represents a fascinating piece of Irish social and botanical history, specifically linked to the famous Guinness family.
​Medal Details
​Organization: Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland (RHSI).
​Recipient: The Hon. A. E. Guinness (Arthur Ernest Guinness, the second son of the 1st Earl of Iveagh).
​Gardener: Mr. W. Stevens. It was common practice for the "head gardener" to be credited on medals won by large estates.
​Event: Summer Show, 1930.
​Category: Class 41 (likely a specific flower or vegetable category).
​Motto (Obverse): “Utile Dulci” (Latin for "The useful with the agreeable"), a classic Horatian phrase often used by horticultural societies to suggest that gardening is both practical and aesthetic.
​Historical Significance
​The recipient, Arthur Ernest Guinness (1876–1949), lived at Glenmaroon in Chapelizod, Dublin. He was a noted horticultural enthusiast. His gardens at Glenmaroon were famous for their extensive glasshouses and rare plants. The fact that this medal was won during the "Summer Show" of 1930 places it at the height of the RHSI’s influence in Irish social life.
The figures on the front (obverse) of the medal are allegorical representations common in Neoclassical art. They do not represent specific historical people, but rather personify the ideals of horticulture.

​The Central Figure: Pomona or Flora
​The tall female figure is likely a personification of Pomona (the Roman goddess of fruit trees and gardens) or Flora (the goddess of flowers).
​Symbolism: She is shown in flowing classical robes, holding a large bundle of harvested flowers and foliage in her arms.
​The Basket: At her feet sits a basket overflowing with fruit and vegetables, representing the bounty of the earth and the "useful" (Utile) side of the society’s mission.
​The Small Figure: A Cherub or Putto
​The small, child-like figure to the left is a Putto (often associated with Cupid or a generic spirit of nature).
​Action: He is depicted holding a flowering vine or garland, lifting it up toward the woman.
​Symbolism: In this context, he represents the "agreeable" or "sweet" (Dulce) side of gardening—the beauty, youth, and joy that flowers bring to life.
​The Motto: Utile Dulci
​The ribbon at the bottom bears the Latin motto "UTILE DULCI".
​This is a reference to the Roman poet Horace’s famous line: "Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile dulci" (He who has mixed the useful with the agreeable has won every vote).
​In Horticulture: It means that the society values gardening for both its practical use (growing food) and its aesthetic beauty (pleasure and flowers). The woman and child together act out this balance—she represents the harvest/utility, and he represents the beauty/delight.
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