Viglius ab Aytta Zuichemus 1571

This silver medal, commemorating Viglius ab Aytta Zuichemus, was made by Jacques Jonghelinck sometime in the 16th century. The material itself speaks volumes. Silver was a key element in the economy of the early modern period. The lustrous metal, with its reflective surface and considerable weight, signified wealth and power. The techniques used to create this medal—casting and chasing—required immense skill. The finely detailed portrait and the allegorical scene on the reverse, featuring a table with symbolic objects, demonstrate the artist's mastery. Such a medal wasn't merely decorative. It was a carefully considered object intended to embody the status of its subject. The labor involved in its creation—the mining of the silver, the refining process, the artistry of the medalist—all contribute to its cultural significance. Considering this object, it becomes clear that the perceived divide between art and craft dissolves. The medal is a testament to skilled making, deeply intertwined with economic and social currents.