Schoolmeesters- en schoolvrouwengilde van Middelburg, begrafenispenning met no. 28 1628

This funeral medal was made in 1628 by Johannes Looff in Middelburg. It is crafted from metal, likely silver or a silver alloy, shaped through careful engraving and striking. The medal's surface features intricate, swirling patterns typical of the period, with a beaded edge adding a tactile quality. The medal's design includes the year and a symbolic emblem, perhaps related to the schoolteachers' guild. The process of die-striking would have involved skilled craftsmanship, with dies carefully cut to create a lasting impression on the metal. The weight and feel of the medal would have added to its value as a keepsake, commemorating a life and profession. The medal is not just an object but a marker of social and economic status, reflecting the guild's role in the community. The making of such an object involved a network of artisans and patrons, blurring the lines between craft and commerce. It calls us to consider how even small objects can carry significant cultural weight.