Marriage Token of August and Helene Bachofen von Echt 1893

This is a marriage token of August and Helene Bachofen von Echt, made by Anton Scharff, likely in the late 19th century. The token, divided into two distinct rectangular panels, is a study in formal portraiture. Each panel features a profile of the betrothed, rendered in meticulous detail that captures their likeness. The composition emphasizes line and form. The profiles are set against a plain background, with inscriptions along the edges that frame the portraits. The cool metallic tone of the token lends a sense of formality. Scharff's choice to present the couple in profile relates to the tradition of classical portraiture, which often used profiles to convey dignity and timelessness. The inscriptions, with their precise lettering, underscore the token's function as a formal document but also as a personal signifier. The object's materiality—its metallic sheen and precise engraving—speaks to the era's values of permanence and precision. This formal quality represents a cultural discourse around identity, commemoration, and representation.