Vier gebroeders Jorissen, samen 332 jaar oud 1767

Carel Frederik Konsé produced this silver medal, entitled "Four Jorissen Brothers, Together 332 Years Old," in 1767. It commemorates the impressive combined age of four brothers. Let’s consider this medal in its Dutch cultural context. The Dutch Republic in the 18th century was known for its strong familial and communal values, where honoring elders and celebrating family achievements were common social practices. The medal itself served as a token of honor, suggesting the Jorissen brothers held a position of social respect. The inscription around the edges of the medal that translates to “Practice virtue, do good, trust in God” speaks to the values upheld by the brothers and their community. To understand the medal's cultural and social significance fully, a historian might turn to genealogical records to confirm the ages of the brothers. Contemporary newspapers, periodicals and family records would also help to understand the social standing of the Jorissen family within their community. All of these resources help us reveal the social and cultural values of the Dutch Republic in the late 1700s.