Derde eeuwfeest van de stichting van New York door de Nederlanders, 1926 1926

This silver plaquette, commemorating the tercentenary of New York's founding by the Dutch, presents a symbolic dance between past and present. On one side, we see an inscription, a materialization of memory and a symbolic nod to a foundational moment. But it is on the other side that we see the real dance of history, as two figures appear, facing forward. One can perhaps read in these figures symbolic representatives, carrying the weight of heritage, a heritage passed down through time, continually reshaped and reinterpreted. This motif of paired figures, reminiscent of ancient votive offerings, speaks to a deep human desire to connect with the past. Such imagery echoes across epochs, from classical depictions of concordia to modern allegories of partnership. The emotional weight of the commemorative act becomes palpable, evoking a shared yearning to honour origins, a potent reminder that historical narratives continually resurface, evolving with each retelling.