Ter ere van de hertog van Anjou, als dank voor het ontzet van Kamerijk 1581

This cast silver medal was made anonymously, to honor the Duke of Anjou for relieving Kamerijk. You see the raw nature of the metal, its weight and feel, and the clear imprint of the mold. Silver’s malleability allowed for a crisp impression, capturing the essence of the Duke’s triumph, which you can see in the texture, weight, and form of the medal. The triangular form may refer to a Masonic symbol of strength. Silver, often associated with wealth and status, underscores the medal's purpose. Creating it would have involved skilled metalworkers, who operated within a well-established tradition of craftsmanship, separate from fine arts, and perhaps were attached to the Duke's military operation. The amount of labor involved – from mining the silver to its refining, casting, and distribution – speaks to the economic realities of the time. By examining the materials, processes, and social context of objects like this medal, we gain insights into the complex relationships between art, craft, and society, challenging established boundaries between the two.