Overlijden van Jean Fredric Theodore Mayor, resident te Besoeki 1848

This is a commemorative medal made to honor Jean Fredric Theodore Mayor; its maker is unknown. The medal’s round form immediately suggests unity and completion, a symbolic encapsulation of a life. Visually, the medal is divided into two distinct sides, each contributing to its overall meaning. One side features a meticulously rendered coat of arms, a heraldic device rich in symbolism. The symmetry and geometric precision of the design speak to a structured social order and the subject's place within it. The opposite side is dominated by an inscription, lines of text arranged in a radial manner, emphasizing the circular boundary of the medal. The text is a tribute, freezing a moment in time. The medal’s materiality—its bronze medium—adds another layer of significance. Bronze, known for its durability, suggests permanence and remembrance. The medal serves not just as a tribute but also as an artifact, a tangible piece of history that continues to communicate across time.