Visitors to HorsePower Museum may wonder why there are no exhibits devoted to The 14th/20th King’s Hussars and its predecessor regiments. Its collection used to be displayed in the Museum of Lancashire in Preston until it was closed. The collection was then moved to our store in Winchester and we are working behind the scenes to display it as an integral part of the story of The King’s Royal Hussars. Once our re-design plans are confirmed and funding is available, we will post regular updates on this site and social media.
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Our Medicina Plate, "The Emperor", 14th Light Dragoons Sabre and the medals of Major Percy Drew MBE, 14th/20th King’s Hussars
Well, The plate is Majolica and it was made in Faenza which lies just 42 Km from Medicina in Emelia-Romagna.
It features a cobalt blue bird design surrounded by intricate hand-painted flowers and flourishes with colourful accents. CACF Faenza is an iconic Italian pottery having produced beautiful majolica items since post WW11. Before CACF was founded, it was a factory producing fine porcelain for several hundred years, the war flattened the factory and when they arose again it was decided they would produce more robust majolica earthenware, to the chagrin of many of the established artists. Today their pieces are sought after and widely collected.
Although the factory specialises in Peacock design wares I believe ours to be a Stork - which is beautifully appropriate since the Stork symbolises (among other things) Fortune and Longevity.
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“A ricordo della vostra gradita visita in terra medicinese. Con stima e gratitudine” - Il Sindaco, Onelio Rambaldi
In remembrance of your kind visit to the Medicinese. With appreciation and gratitude – the Mayor
art is for sure something I know nothing about. Having recently visited Granada and the Alhambra, especially the Nasrin Palaces, I can better understand my own aversion. Nevertheless I am often intrigued by the amazing patterns on Oriental Tiles, which portray a wealth of ancient understanding. I actually thought that I could see something of that nature on 'our plate'. You mentioned the 'peacock' and now I can clearly see that, having been made aware of it. I guess, as ever, it's always a question of "what does the artist want to tell us".
It must have been a great day for you and a proud moment for all of us. Thanks again !
Another connection with Faenza. Eight of those who died at Medicina are buried in the Faenza War Cemetery. We paid our respects with wreaths and crosses during our visits in 2012 and 2015. Peter Senior Ashton-yamnikar(Yammy) visited Staglieno and Luigi Trevisan visited the graves in Udine. The family of CW Nixon later thanked me for information passed to them.
