Bataafsch Genootschap van proefondervindelijke wijsbegeerte, penning toegekend aan B. Tiboel 1779

This medal, awarded to B. Tiboel, was made by Gerrit van Moelingen in the 18th century. It's crafted from silver, a precious metal often associated with wealth and status. The process of creating this medal would have involved skilled craftsmanship. The design was likely first sketched, then meticulously engraved into a die. This die would then be used to strike the silver, imprinting the image onto the medal. The crispness of the details speaks to the expertise of the engraver, who demonstrates mastery of the material. Medals like these were not merely decorative; they were symbols of achievement and recognition within learned societies like the ‘Bataafsch Genootschap’. Silver, in this context, elevates the value of knowledge and intellectual pursuit. The weight of the medal itself – over 600 grams – further emphasizes the significance of the award, making it a tangible representation of intellectual labor. The medal reminds us that even seemingly simple objects can carry complex social and cultural meanings, challenging the perceived divide between art, craft, and the broader world of human endeavor.