Schippersgilde van Bolsward, overmanspenning van burgemeester Franciscus Elgersma 1721

This silver medal, crafted in 1721, commemorates Franciscus Elgersma, mayor of Bolsward, and his role within the local Skipper's Guild. At its heart lies the heraldic shield, teeming with symbols of civic pride and identity. Consider the rampant lion. Throughout centuries, this motif has roared across countless banners and emblems, signifying courage, nobility, and royal authority. One cannot help but recall its presence in medieval tapestries and Renaissance paintings. Here, the lion may allude to the virtues that Elgersma was expected to embody. Note, too, how the composition and emblems evoke a sense of history and collective identity. Such symbolic languages speak to the subconscious, triggering deeply rooted associations with power, tradition, and belonging. The symbols are not static, their emotional and psychological resonance continuing to evolve, echoing through time.