Driehonderdjarige herdenking van de inname van Den Briel door de Watergeuzen 1872 1872

This commemorative medal was crafted in 1872 by M.C. de Vries Jr., likely from pewter or a similar base metal amenable to casting. The medal's imagery is achieved through a process of impressing a design into a mold, into which the molten metal is poured. You can see how this method translates into the crisp, raised details of the imagery on both sides. The inscription and the figures of the Watergeuzen, literally "sea beggars," are a direct result of this production method. Medals like this were often created to commemorate events of national importance. Their existence speaks to a burgeoning sense of collective identity, as well as an industrialized mode of production that allowed for such keepsakes to be widely distributed and consumed. The medal serves not only as a historical marker, but also as a testament to the evolving relationship between craftsmanship, industrialization, and national pride. By understanding its materiality and production, we can see beyond the fine art categorization and appreciate the medal's rich social and cultural context.