King Cetshwayo KaMpande was the leader of the Zulu kingdom from 1873 to 1884. During this time he led his kingdom during the Anglo-Zulu war against the formidable British empire. Having lost the war in 1879, the king was subsequently captured by the British and was transported to cape castle and later Oude Moulen farm, South Africa. During this time he visited London, where he saw Queen Victoria, he used these small medallets to garner support from the British aristocracy and wider public. These medallets were produced by his admirers and were supplied directly to him so he could distribute them among high profile figures. This particular medallet was most likely with King Cetshwayo on his visit to London. It is also one of the few which were made and one of the only ones remaining, one of the others being in the British museum in London. On the front it has the himself with the inscription ‘CETEWAYO’. On the back it has the words ‘THE ZULU WAR MEDAL’. As seen in the images it is in good condition with minor wear. It is very small, measuring 19mm X 13mm.
King Cetshwayo KaMpande was the leader of the Zulu kingdom from 1873 to 1884. During this time he led his kingdom during the Anglo-Zulu war against the formidable British empire. Having lost the war in 1879, the king was subsequently captured by the British and was transported to cape castle and later Oude Moulen farm, South Africa. During this time he visited London, where he saw Queen Victoria, he used these small medallets to garner support from the British aristocracy and wider public. These medallets were produced by his admirers and were supplied directly to him so he could distribute them among high profile figures. This particular medallet was most likely with King Cetshwayo on his visit to London. It is also one of the few which were made and one of the only ones remaining, one of the others being in the British museum in London. On the front it has the himself with the inscription ‘CETEWAYO’. On the back it has the words ‘THE ZULU WAR MEDAL’. As seen in the images it is in good condition with minor wear. It is very small, measuring 19mm X 13mm.
