Afslag van de prijspenning van de Schutterij te Amsterdam 1887

Curator: This bronze prize medal was designed by C.J. Begeer in 1887. It's titled "Afslag van de prijspenning van de Schutterij te Amsterdam." Editor: Okay, my first impression? Cold elegance. Like finding a Roman coin buried in the snow. There's a real weight to it, even just visually. Curator: Indeed. The obverse features the coat of arms of Amsterdam, flanked by two lions, all surmounted by a crown. Note the precision of the engraving, a testament to the skills cultivated during the Dutch Golden Age. Editor: Absolutely, but there's a hint of Symbolism there too, wouldn’t you agree? The lions aren't just decorative; they project power and protection. Makes me think about what qualities they’re honoring here. Bravery, loyalty? Probably a mix. Curator: It certainly evokes notions of civic pride and honor, themes central to the Schutterij, the civic guard in Amsterdam. The reverse features a laurel wreath, a classical symbol of victory and achievement. This creates a rather interesting dialog with the armorial bearings. Editor: True, there’s a balance… on one side this explicit heraldic display, on the other the subtle classical allusion. What would the awarding ceremony have been like? Did the recipient instantly know of their prize, as a gesture or a point of value, or did it gradually develop as an icon? Curator: That would be worth knowing, but perhaps lost to time. I’m left struck by its material properties; it transcends mere functionality and achieves significance as a piece of symbolic currency and artistry. Editor: And for me it's those qualities – the weight of history made manifest in a solid piece. Holding onto this tiny token of history offers so much value and legacy within this miniature, bronze monumentality. Curator: Well said.