Hof van de Edele Busse te Veere 1623

Johannes Looff created this silver medal, "Hof van de Edele Busse te Veere," in 1624, a period of great political and social transformation in the Netherlands. It encapsulates the complexities of identity and unity during the early modern era. The medal features a coat of arms and crossed muskets with the inscription "Valeant Arma Togae Cedant Inter Nos Dissidia," which translates to "Let arms prevail, let discord cease among us." The other side depicts a phoenix rising from flames under a radiant sun. The phoenix symbolizes rebirth and resilience, while the sun embodies enlightenment and hope. This medal was likely commissioned to foster cohesion among the elite, urging them to set aside their differences for the common good. In this context, the imagery becomes a powerful call for solidarity in a society grappling with religious and political divides. The imagery speaks to both the individual and collective experience of striving for harmony amidst turmoil.