Verovering van Palembang 1821

This medal commemorating the Capture of Palembang was designed by Joseph-Pierre Braemt. It’s made of bronze, through a process called striking – where the design is engraved into a die, and then pressed onto the metal blank. Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, has long been prized for its durability and ability to capture fine detail. But more than this, it is a material of enormous cultural significance. In many civilizations, mastering the secrets of bronze production was a game-changing achievement. In this instance, it also gives the medal a satisfying heft. The act of striking, using a die, is closely associated with mass production – in this case, a commemoration of colonial expansion. So, while the medal is technically a multiple, it's meant to signify the singular importance of the event. It is a permanent record, cast in a material that will last for centuries, and a design pressed with precision and care. Ultimately, this object is a testament to the power of materials, processes, and context in understanding the full meaning of an artwork.