Honorary Medal Awarded by the VOC to Ysbrant Godske for the Construction of the Castle at the Cape of Good Hope 1677

This honorary medal, crafted from gold, was awarded by the VOC—the Dutch East India Company—to Ysbrant Godske, likely in the late 17th or early 18th century. The medal's circular form, suspended from a chain of interconnected loops, immediately draws the eye to the engraved scene it bears. The design features ships at sea, rendered with meticulous detail that belies the medal's small scale. The engraving uses delicate lines to define the ships' rigging and hulls, contrasting with the smooth, reflective gold surface. This medal is not just an object of value but a symbol, embodying the ideals of achievement and imperial power. The ships, depicted in dynamic motion, represent trade and exploration, core tenets of the VOC's mission. The choice of gold enhances the medal's status, transforming it into a potent emblem of wealth and influence. The chain, acting as a structural support, also signifies the interconnected nature of trade routes and colonial ambitions.