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The Royal Asiatic Society Medal was instigated in 2000 to replace the Society's Triennial Gold Medal and to be awarded in recognition of an outstanding contribution to scholarship in the field of Asian Studies. A new design for the Medal was sought and this was commissioned from Danuta Solowiej-Wedderburn. The medal took longstanding symbols of the Society and gave them a modern twist. She suggested:

'The starting point for the design of the medal was an article by John Hansman in the Society's Journal of 1984: ‘The Emblems, Medals and Medallists of The Royal Asiatic Society’. I was very inspired by the Daniells’ design of a caparisoned elephant for a signet, first produced in 1824, which was used to seal letters and documents. A simplified version of this design by Professor Perceval Yetts has become the ‘logo’ of the society, stamped on its letter head and on all its publications, and so it was a particularly appropriate image to use. I depicted the signet impressed into the brass as if it were wax, to act as a metaphor for the medal as a ‘seal of approval’. Unlike most Victorian award medals the lettering is incised, this is so that it will blend in with the name of the recipient, which obviously has to be engraved at a later date. In 1823 the Banyan tree was chosen for the society’s official seal by the Council and it has been depicted on previous medals commissioned by the society. It is a magnificent tree and an apt symbol of the society, growing strong and branching out. The medal was cast (rather than struck) which allows for more depth in modelling and I tried to take advantage of that by depicting the tree as a mature and vigorous plant, still growing strongly.' (Email, see details in the catalogue).

The medal was first awarded to John Gullick in 2001 with subsequent awards being made:
2003 – Professor Edmund Bosworth
2006 – Professor Christopher Shackle
2009 – Professor Sir Christopher Bayly
2014 – Dr Bridget Allchin and Professor David Bivar
2019 - Professors Carole and Robert Hillenbrand
2023 – Robert Irwin

The material covered by this catalogue consists of correspondence and administrative documents concerning the setting up of the award and the commissioning of the medal, and the individual awards. There are also photographs of some of the award events and a sample of the medal.

Correspondence regarding possible publications to commemorate the Royal Asiatic Society's sesquicentenary. These are:

• Correspondence concerning a possible donation from Sir John Galvin towards a publication to commemorate the Society's sesquicentenary. These include correspondence with Professor Arberry, Harold Bailey, and R.J. Hayes, concerning contacting Galvin; correspondence with John Galvin himself; and correspondence with W.E.D. Allen concerning his influence on Galvin. 11 items, dated 26 May 1966 - 29 April 1971.
• Correspondence with Professor E.G. Turner concerning the possibility of the Union Academique Internationale being involved in publication of a facsimile of the Society's Jami'al-tawarikh manuscript. 7 items, dated 27 July 1971 - 7 October 1971.
• Correspondence with Professor David Talbot Rice to ask whether he would be involved in the publications of the Rashid al-Din manuscript. 3 items, dated 4 October 1971- 19 March 1972. Correspondence between B.W. Robinson and Charles Beckingham concerning his chapter for "The Royal Asiatic Society: Its History and Treasures" on the history of the Society. 6 items, dated 12 January 1972 - 5 June 1972.
• Correspondence concerning the article by C.E.J. Whitting on Sir Richard Burton for "The Royal Asiatic Society: Its History and Treasures". 5 items, dated 5 June 1972 - 27 July 1972.
• Letter to Douglas Barrett concerning contributing an article on the Society's boundary stone from Java for the "The Royal Asiatic Society: Its History and Treasures", dated 9 November 1972.
• Correspondence concerning the administration and editing of "The Royal Asiatic Society: Its History and Treasures". 4 items, dated 18 August 1972 - 13 November 1972.
• Letter from A.D.H. Bivar to Diana Crawford, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, concerning a donation toward the preparation of a Numismatic Index to the Society's Journal, dated 21 October 1972.
• Letter from B.W. Robinson to Professor H.L. Shorto to ask if he would include an article concerning the Royal Asiatic Society's sesquicentenary in the Bulletin for SOAS, dated 5 May 1972.

The Royal Asiatic Medal was given to both Bridget Allchin and A.D.H. (David) Bivar in 2014. The archival material consists of :

• Publicity poster for the award ceremony for Bridget Allchin held on 13 March 2014 (this is held electronically).
• Four digital photographs of the award ceremony to David Bivar held on 10 October 2014.

Letter from Dr. A.D.H. Bivar to Miss D. Crawford, RAS Secretary, to give his report on the essays submitted and his recommendation for the winner. Typed with printed letterhead, 1 side, dated 28 October 1971. With this letter is a handwritten note from Professor Simmonds giving his ranking to the essays.

Organisational Lists and Letters for Sesquicentenary Reception. These are:

• "Reception - Monday 19th February 1973" - lists of guests at the Reception and duties of members of the Society in overseeing the event, 6 pieces, typed with annotations.
• "Press Arrangements - Miss Anne Hawkins" - arrangements and queries concerning the needs of the press, 1 piece, typed with handwritten annotations.
• "Programme & Time-table for the visit of Her Majesty the Queen & His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh to the Royal Asiatic Society on Monday 19th February 1973", typed list.
• "The City of Westminster Civic Protocol" listing the protocol for functions at which the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress are attending. With this list is another sheet containing biographical details for the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress. Two pieces, printed.
• Official letter from A.D.H. Bivar, Director, concerning the Ballot for attendance at the Reception, typed with printed letterhead. With this are 2 copies of the ballot form, typed.
• Official letter from A.D.H. Bivar, Director, concerning arrangements for the Reception.
• "Notes for the Guidance of Fellows on the Occasion of the Visit of Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh to the Society on February 19th 1973 - typed, 1 piece.

Letter from C. Templey, Account Executive, Stephen Austin and Sons Limited, to Dr Bivar, Royal Asiatic Society, concerning the binding and production of the special edition of the journal in honour of Mortimer Wilson. The company is now ready to do the final proofs and wish to know about the binding and lettering required for the two specially bound copies. He also acknowledges receipt of the Society's Annual Report. There is an annotation, in Bivar's hand, to ask Diana Crawford, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to file the letter and ensure the proofs are received in the next ten days. The note is dated 22 March 1972.