Vroedschapspenning van de stad Gouda Possibly 1706 - 1716

This is a Vroedschapspenning van de stad Gouda, or council medal of the city of Gouda, made by an anonymous artist. These objects were produced in the Netherlands to commemorate the city council. They are rich in cultural meaning and visual codes. On one side we see a female figure holding a staff in one hand, this represents the city of Gouda. The city's coat of arms appears at her side. Busts of Floris V and Jacoba van Beieren who were important historical figures for the city, are also represented. The other side depicts the city itself with a river god representing the Gouwe river. The cultural and economic importance of the Dutch cities in the 17th century cannot be overstated, and these objects were commissioned by the institutions that played a leading role in that phenomenon. Council medals are important historical resources. Along with city archives, they help us understand the complex political and social structures of the time.