Tweehonderdjarig bestaan van het Amsterdams stadsschouwtoneel 1838

This bronze medal was made by David van der Kellen to celebrate the bicentennial of Amsterdam’s playhouse. Notice the weight and sheen of the medal - bronze is ideal for this kind of commemorative object, as it is durable, and can capture fine detail in the die-stamping process. This technique involves hammering a metal die into the bronze. It's a process that dates back to ancient times, requiring skilled hands and precise machinery to create a lasting and reproducible image. The medal's design features floral motifs and inscriptions, typical of commemorative medals of the time. What makes this object interesting is that the act of minting medals has always been adjacent to both artistic expression and industrial production. The artistry lies in the design and the craft of die-making, while the industrial aspect is in the repetitive stamping process, an early form of mass production. The medal is not just a celebration of the playhouse, but also a testament to the broader social and economic forces at play in 19th-century Amsterdam. It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple objects can reveal complex stories about labor, art, and the making of history.