Twaalfeneenhalfjarig huwelijk van W.A.A. Poelman en H.S. Alewijn 1822

This copper medal commemorates the twelve-and-a-half-year wedding anniversary of W.A.A. Poelman and H.S. Alewijn. The design features inscriptions framed by circular elements, one side with a wreath, the other with sans-serif block lettering. The circular form, employed on both sides, serves to unify the disparate elements of text and image. The wreath, a classical motif, signifies honor and celebration, encapsulating the essence of the marital milestone. Conversely, the text presents an economy of form, typical of commemorative medals. The interplay between image and text is a fascinating study in semiotics; while the wreath evokes a sense of timeless tradition, the text grounds the medal in a specific time and place, creating a tension between the universal and the particular. In this regard, the medal functions as a cultural artifact, embodying both personal sentiment and societal norms.