Genootschap ter Bevordering van Nijverheid en Landbouw te Onderdendam 1800 - 1850

This medal was struck in the Netherlands, though the exact date and maker remain unknown. On one side, the inscription reads ‘Honorary Prize of the Society for the Promotion of Industry and Agriculture in Onderdendam’. The reverse depicts a laurel wreath, a classical symbol of honor and victory. In the Dutch context, the medal reflects a broader social and economic concern: the promotion of industry and agriculture. Institutions like the Society played a crucial role in shaping national identity, fostering economic growth, and maintaining social order. The award highlights the perceived importance of hard work. To understand this artifact more fully, we might delve into the archives of the Society itself, exploring its membership, activities, and the broader socio-economic conditions. The meaning of art objects such as this can only be understood by analyzing both form and the historical context.