Vijfentwintigjarig huwelijk van David Jan Thilenus en Margaretha Elisabeth van der Haer Possibly 1779 - 1781

This silver medal, commemorating the twenty-fifth wedding anniversary of David Jan Thilenus and Margaretha Elisabeth van der Haer, was created in 1772 by Johan George Holtzhey. In the late 18th century, Dutch society was deeply structured by class and lineage, and this medal encapsulates the values of the elite. Notice the detailed coat of arms, a potent symbol of family history, status, and power. On the reverse side, allegorical figures gesture towards the enduring strength of marriage and family. A winged figure, possibly representing love or virtue, stands alongside a woman symbolizing domesticity and fidelity. They are bathed in divine light, suggesting that this union is blessed and righteous. The medal's imagery presents an idealized vision of marriage, one which upholds societal norms. While celebrating personal happiness, the work also subtly reinforces the importance of maintaining social order. The appeal to tradition and family values offers a glimpse into the emotional and social priorities of the time.