The Iftikhar Sanayi Medal (also known as Medal of Iftikhar or Medal of Sanayi) is a medal made of gold or silver awarded by the Ottoman Empire and first granted by Sultan Abdulhamid II.
The medal was generally awarded for loyalty, valor, heroism, and accomplishments in various fields such as agriculture, arts, and crafts. These medals were also used as war medals by attaching inscribed clasps to their ribbons. The name of this medal was originally “Iftihar Madalyasi“, which was used earlier for the General Service Medal, but was later changed to “Sanay-i Nefise Madalyasi” which translates roughly as “Medal of Beautiful Arts“.
Most of the recipients were artists and artisans such as personnel of the Yildiz porcelain factory, or performers at the private theater of Sultan Abdulhamid II at the palace.
The medal was awarded in two classes: Gold and Silver.
The Iftikhar Sanayi Medal Design
The obverse of the Sanayi medal features an Ottoman trophy of arms and on the reverse side has a laurel wreath in the center, leaving a blank space for the awardee’s name to be engraved.
