Arie Vlielander, vijftig jaar rentmeester van Cromstrijen, penning geslagen op last van ambachtsheren en grondeigenaren 1870

Jacob Samuel Cohen Elion created this silver medal to honor Arie Vlielander's fifty years of service. A portrait of Vlielander, encircled by text, graces one side, while the other features an inscription framed by a wreath. The wreath, an ancient symbol, weaves through human history, appearing in various forms from laurel wreaths in ancient Greece, symbolizing honor and victory, to funerary wreaths, signifying remembrance and the cyclical nature of life. Here, the wreath suggests a celebration of Vlielander's long tenure. Consider, too, the emotional weight such symbols carry. Just as the figures in classical art adopt poses that convey intense emotion, the wreath engages us on a subconscious level, tapping into our collective memory and cultural associations. This simple token becomes more than just a decoration; it is a conduit to deeper understanding. As we trace its journey through time, this motif resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.