Metalen Kruis 1830-1831 met blauw-geel lint after 1832

This bronze cross with its blue and yellow ribbon was awarded in the Netherlands in the 1830s. It is a material object that speaks volumes about the formation of a nation. Awarded to those who fought in the Ten Days’ Campaign, this medal commemorates the brief but decisive military intervention by the Dutch in response to the Belgian Revolution of 1830. The Dutch sought to suppress the uprising and maintain control over what is now Belgium. The cross is thus a symbol of national identity, military honor, and the assertion of authority. Understanding this cross requires delving into the complex political landscape of 19th-century Europe. Research into military records, personal accounts of soldiers, and political pamphlets from the period can help us understand its full meaning. This medal reminds us that art and material culture are always embedded in social and institutional contexts.