Baron Surlet de Chokier, door het Nationaal Congres verkozen tot regent van België 1831

This silver medal was made by Adrien Hippolyte Veyrat to commemorate Baron Surlet de Chokier's election as regent of Belgium. Its materiality speaks volumes about power, status, and the socio-political context of 1831 Belgium. Silver, a precious metal, was carefully die-struck to produce the medal's intricate design. On one side, a rising sun symbolizes the dawn of a new era for an independent Belgium, while the inscription emphasizes the pursuit of liberty. The reverse side bears the name and title of Baron Surlet de Chokier, encircled by a wreath, signifying honor and victory. The medal's production involved specialized skills and labor, from the initial design and engraving to the striking of the metal. Although small in scale, it embodies the weight of history and political ambition, reflecting the complex relationship between materials, making, and social values. It prompts us to question the value we ascribe to objects and the stories they tell about our shared past.