Stillen van het aansprekersoproer te Amsterdam, penning aan de gewapende burgers vereerd 1696

This medal, made by Reynier Arondeaux, commemorates the quelling of the undertakers' riot in Amsterdam. The piece reflects a moment of tension between the city's ruling elite and its working class. At the time, undertakers, responsible for funeral arrangements, played a significant role in society, and any disruption to their work touched upon deeply held beliefs and customs. The imagery on the medal tells a story of power and control. Neptune, god of the sea, symbolizes Amsterdam's maritime power and its ability to navigate through turbulent times. The sun rising over a calm sea on the reverse represents the restoration of order and the dawn of a new era. The inscription, a message from the Amsterdam senate, underscores the importance of loyalty and faithfulness. Medals such as this served as symbols of civic pride and allegiance, reminding citizens of the importance of maintaining social order. But look closely and consider whose story is not being told here. Whose voices were silenced in the name of order?