Huwelijkspenning van Frans van Limborch en Geertruydt Bisschop 1623

This small silver marriage pendant, commemorating the union of Frans van Limborch and Geertruydt Bisschop, is a fascinating object. It was likely commissioned, a product of the 17th or 18th century European culture of commemorative medals. The pendant’s design is finely detailed. It shows the couple joining hands above a skeleton, a ‘memento mori’ reminding them of mortality even at their wedding. Look closely at the intricate inscription and the relief work around the edges. Silver, as a material, takes on incredible detail when worked skillfully, but it is also relatively soft. A pendant like this would have been made with great care, involving skills passed down through generations of silversmiths. Consider the economics of such an object. Silver was a valuable commodity, and the labor needed to produce this pendant would have been significant, making it a potent symbol of wealth and status. These factors speak volumes about the societal values of marriage, class, and consumption, where skilled work and precious materials combined to create a lasting tribute.