Landing van Willem III bij Torbay 1688

This small silver medal commemorates William of Orange's landing at Torbay. Though unsigned, it was clearly made by a skilled die cutter, a craft that requires not only artistic talent but also a deep understanding of metallurgy. The medal's imagery speaks volumes about the political climate of the time. On one side, a lion brandishing a sword and a bundle of arrows symbolizes strength and unity. On the reverse, a figure sits beneath a tree laden with fruit, perhaps alluding to the prosperity William's reign was expected to bring. The medal was likely produced in multiples, using industrial processes to strike the design onto planchets of silver. It is not only an aesthetic object but also an artifact of production, reflecting the increasing mechanization of craft in the early modern period. By considering the labor and skill involved in its creation, we can appreciate this medal as a testament to a pivotal moment in history, and the fusion of art, craft, and industry that brought it into being.