Zuid-Hollandsche Maatschappy tot redding van schipbreukelingen te Rotterdam, penning uitgereikt aan N.T. Spelbrink 1856

This silver medal, now in the Rijksmuseum, was given to N.T. Spelbrink by the South Holland Society for the Rescue of Shipwrecked People in Rotterdam. Medals like these are produced by striking: a die is engraved with an image in reverse, and then pressed into a blank of metal with great force. This medal has two sides. One depicts a dramatic rescue scene, and the other is inscribed with text surrounded by a wreath. The high degree of relief and detail shows a deep understanding of the material properties of silver, and the capabilities of the die-striking process. But beyond this technical virtuosity, we should also consider the social context: a commemoration of bravery and selfless service. The medal is not only a celebration of individual heroism but also a reflection of the collective values of the society that commissioned it. It reminds us that objects can be powerful symbols of social and cultural significance.