Koninklijke Maatschappij van Tuinbouw te Brussel 1826

This medal was made by Joseph-Pierre Braemt in the 19th century, out of silver. It’s a classic example of die-striking, a technique perfected over centuries for producing coins and commemorative objects. Consider the pressure required to impress the design fully – that wreath of flowers, fruit, and vegetables – into a dense metal like silver. This medal represents the Royal Horticultural Society of Brussels, and would likely have been given as an award. So, while it seems like a celebration of nature, it also speaks to a very human desire: to cultivate, classify, and ultimately control the natural world. Look closely and you’ll see that the process of making this medal, requiring both artistic skill and mechanical force, mirrors the ambitions of the society itself. That combination of technique and intent is what gives this object its enduring fascination. It transcends distinctions between art, craft, and industrial production.