Baron Surlet de Chokier, door het Nationaal Congres verkozen tot regent van België 1831

This bronze medal commemorates Baron Surlet de Chokier’s election as regent of Belgium by the National Congress. On one side, we see the Baron in profile. On the other side, text commemorating the event is encircled by a wreath. The wreath, an ancient symbol, speaks volumes. Its circular form represents cyclical time, an eternal return. Laurel wreaths signified victory and triumph in ancient Greece and Rome, adorning heroes and leaders. This classical motif resurfaces here, entwined with the nascent Belgian state. The wreath is not merely decorative; it is a potent symbol of legitimacy and power. Its reappearance speaks to a deep-seated desire to connect with the glories of the past, even as a new nation is being forged. Note how the wreath has evolved, shedding its purely martial connotations to embrace themes of civic virtue and national identity. The power of collective memory allows such symbols to resonate deeply, engaging viewers on a subconscious level with the emotional weight of history. The image is a non-linear progression, constantly resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings across different historical contexts.