Grensafbakening in Yperen 1777 1777

Theodorus Victor van Berckel created this silver medal, Grensafbakening in Yperen 1777, in the late eighteenth century during a period of political and social change. The medal commemorates the demarcation of the boundaries of Ypres, now a town in Belgium. On one side we see a profile of Maria Theresa, Holy Roman Empress. Her dress and hairstyle reflect the fashion of the late 1700s, with a high powdered wig and elaborate gown, symbols of status and wealth. The reverse shows a lion with a shield and cannon. The lion symbolizes strength and courage, while the cannon is a symbol of military power. The medal functioned as propaganda, designed to assert authority and celebrate territorial control during an era defined by shifting national identities and conflicts. Yet, it’s a reminder of the human cost of border disputes, reflecting on the lives and communities disrupted by political decisions. It invites us to consider the legacy of these historical events and their continued impact on the modern world.