Vijftigjarig bestaan van de Nederlandsch-Indische Spoorwegmaatschappij 1913

This commemorative medal celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the Dutch East Indies Railway Company was made by Johannes Cornelis Wienecke, though we don't have a precise date. It's all about the tactile experience, really. The relief is like a shallow carving, isn’t it? The design spreads out across the surface, and invites you to run your fingers over it. The textures and tiny details create a real sense of depth, even though it’s a very shallow object. Look at the way the figure holds the staff in her right hand. It’s almost like she’s conducting an orchestra, orchestrating the meeting of different cultures. This reminds me a little of Aubrey Beardsley's decadent Art Nouveau style, but on a coin. The intricate ornamentation and symbolism evoke a similar sense of rich complexity. It’s like a tiny world contained in a circle, a reminder that art is always in conversation with itself.