Herinneringspenning bij het zilveren, vijfentwintigjarig huwelijk van koningin Juliana en prins Bernhard, 1962 1962

This is a commemorative medal marking the silver wedding anniversary of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard in 1962, crafted by an anonymous artist. What immediately strikes one about this piece is the formal arrangement of its elements. Encased in a box, we see the medal itself: a circular form bearing a profile of Queen Juliana, rendered in meticulous detail. Note the use of line and relief to articulate her features, imbuing the medal with a sense of regal presence. The Dutch flag colours are used on the ribbon, adding another layer of symbolic meaning and cultural identity. The medal's form speaks to more than just commemoration. It engages with the semiotic language of power and representation. Medals, as objects, function as signs of achievement and status, thus, this piece not only celebrates a personal union but also reinforces the symbolic importance of monarchy. Its meaning is not fixed, rather it's continuously re-evaluated through its cultural use.