Tappersgilde van Vlissingen, begrafenispenning met no. 49 1657

This anonymous Tappersgilde van Vlissingen funeral medal was crafted in 1657. It is made of metal and has two sides with different images and inscriptions. The monochromatic palette and shallow relief emphasize the graphic elements of the medal. On one side, we observe a chalice-like object, flanked by the year of its creation and the number '49,' all encircled by text. Semiotically, the chalice may symbolize communion or tribute. On the other side, a tableau featuring containers, a barrel, and tools is also framed by inscription. The items suggest trade and labor activities. The medal’s circular form, repeated in the arrangement of its imagery, creates a sense of unity and enclosure, reflecting the closed nature of the guild it commemorates. The medal's form and content invite reflection on the cultural and economic structures of the time.