Ten-Headed Monster Preying on Two Nude Bodies [reverse] 1672

This silver medal was made by Pierre Aury sometime in the late 17th century. It depicts a terrifying scene: nude figures are menaced by a multi-headed monster, a dramatic image skillfully rendered in low relief. The medal was likely produced using a combination of casting and chasing: molten silver poured into a mold to create the basic shape, with finer details then worked using small tools to refine the surface. This blend of techniques speaks to the social context of its creation. Medal-making, like goldsmithing, existed in a space between fine art and craft. The preciousness of the material elevates its status, while the labor-intensive techniques involved link it to the world of skilled artisans. The very concept of a medal – repeatable, collectible, and often propagandistic – hints at emerging systems of production and consumption. So while this piece might seem purely allegorical, it also reflects the social realities of its time. It shows how labor, material, and symbolic value were forged together.