Armed Britannia Surveying Her Navies [reverse] 1667

This silver medal was made by Jan Roettiers, a Flemish medalist working in London in the late 17th century. Roettiers would have begun by preparing steel dies with the design in reverse. These would have been used to strike the image onto the silver, requiring tremendous force. Consider the material, silver, with its inherent qualities of value and permanence. This medal embodies the idea of Britannia, a symbol of British naval power, looking out upon her fleet. The ships are rendered in exquisite detail, all the more impressive considering the small scale. The inscription 'Favente Deo' – with God’s favor – suggests divine endorsement of Britain’s dominance. Roettiers was a master of his medium, achieving remarkable relief and texture. Medals like this circulated as diplomatic gifts, rewards for service, and keepsakes, embodying political messages in miniature form. By understanding the labor, material, and social context of its production, we can appreciate the full significance of this potent object.