Collectie Geelhand de Merxem door de Belgische Staat aangekocht 1865

This bronze medal was made by Adolphe Jouvenel, a French medalist active in the 19th century. The medal’s form is directly influenced by its material, bronze, chosen for its durability, malleability and ability to capture fine details through the process of striking or casting. The texture is smooth with raised lettering and a portrait in profile, typical of commemorative medals of this era. Medals like these were not merely decorative; they served as tools for preserving memory, celebrating individuals, and marking events within a broader social and political context. The making of this medal involves skilled hand-engraving to create the dies, followed by the mechanical process of striking the medal, indicating a blend of artisanal skill and industrial production. Bronze, while not precious like gold or silver, still connoted value and permanence, aligning with the commemorative function of the piece. Consider how this object, through its materiality and production, transcends mere decoration, embodying historical and cultural meanings. It is a testament to the enduring human impulse to commemorate and remember.