Huwelijk van Karel XI van Zweden met Ulrika van Denemarken 1680

Arvid Karlsteen crafted this silver coin to commemorate the marriage of Charles XI of Sweden and Ulrika of Denmark. On one side, allegorical figures of Sweden and Denmark clasp hands, symbolizing the union of two kingdoms. This gesture, laden with significance, echoes through the ages, recalling ancient Roman depictions of Concordia, the goddess of harmony, bridging divides. The image of clasped hands, however, is not static; its meaning evolves. Here, it's a political symbol, a strategic alliance masked in the guise of matrimonial bliss. This motif—of union, concord, and alliance—reappears throughout history in different guises, reflecting a deep, subconscious desire for harmony and stability. It reveals the emotional complexities and psychological undercurrents that intertwine personal bonds with broader societal and political imperatives. These images transcend mere representation. They capture the enduring human quest for connection, rendered in a symbol that speaks to the cyclical nature of history, continually resurfacing in new contexts.