Honorary Medal of Queen Wilhelmina Awarded in 1893 to P.R. van Motman for Winning a Horse Race in Batavia, Dutch East Indies 1892

Bart van Hove crafted this honorary medal in 1893 to commemorate P.R. van Motman's horse race victory in Batavia, Dutch East Indies. The medal's circular form, rendered in gold, presents two distinct yet unified faces, each meticulously designed to convey layers of meaning. One side features a profile of Queen Wilhelmina, her youthful features sharply delineated against the smooth backdrop, surrounded by text along the edge. The other side displays the name of the awardee, framed by laurel wreaths and crowned with royal symbols. The symmetry and balance in composition reflect the stability and order valued by the monarchy, but the medal's true achievement lies in its function as a signifier of colonial power. The use of gold, a precious material, underscores the importance of the event and the prestige associated with the award, thereby embedding it within a complex framework of cultural and economic exchange. Ultimately, this medal operates as both a piece of art and a historical artifact, prompting us to consider how such objects participate in the construction and perpetuation of imperial narratives.