Prize medal of the Agricultural Chamber for the Province of Pomerania

The agricultural nature of the Prussian province of Pomerania, relying on large Junker estates, fostered the emergence of strong elites who actively participated in political and economic life and also pursued their own interests. At the end of the 19th century, agricultural development and rural estate concerns were handled by the Agricultural Chamber for the Province of Pomerania (Landwirtschaftskammer für die Provinz Pommern). The organisation was founded in February 1896 and was based in Szczecin. It had a number of facilities and institutions, including agricultural schools and experimental stations. It was particularly involved in the improvement of the quality of horse and cattle breeding. However, a permanent problem was posed by insufficient manpower. Therefore, in order to prevent agricultural workers from deserting the villages, the Chamber introduced diplomas, brooches, and medals for "faithful service" in 1899. Unfortunately, despite an employment agency founded to recruit workers from home and abroad, the manpower shortage remained unresolved. The National Museum in Szczecin holds one of the 917 silver medals of the Chamber of Agriculture of the Pomeranian Province that were awarded to distinguished citizens over the thirteen years they were handed out. Iconographically, it combines a coat-of-arms with a true-to-life composition. An emphasis is placed on livestock, which, in combination with man and his knowledge, guarantee success in breeding. Both the designer, Max Kawczynski (1860-?), the court medallist of the Dukes von Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha, and the medal workshop of Ludwig Christoph Laurea (1817-1873) in Nuremberg, put their signatures on the medal. Genowefa Horoszko