De Muelenaere en Villain XIIII uit de Staten-Generaal geweerd, penning uit Belgisch geld bekostigd 1829

This silver medal was struck in Belgium by an anonymous artist to commemorate a political event in 1829. It reflects the complex social and political tensions of the time. On one side, we see the portraits of De Muelenaere and Villain XIIII, two figures who were excluded from the States General. The inscription around them indicates their proscription from the assembly, highlighting the political fractures within the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. The other side of the medal features symbolic imagery, with an altar bearing the inscription "Pro aris et focis" – For altars and hearths – suggesting a defense of traditional values and national identity. The medal provides a glimpse into the dynamics of early 19th-century Belgium, where political and cultural identities were being negotiated against the backdrop of Dutch rule. To fully understand the medal's significance, we could delve into historical archives, political pamphlets, and biographical accounts of the figures involved. Art objects like this coin offer tangible connections to the past, inviting us to explore the social and institutional forces that shaped their creation and reception.