Overlijden en begrafenis van Ditmar Huisman, professor en predikant te Utrecht 1822

This silver medal commemorates the death and funeral of Ditmar Huisman, a professor and preacher in Utrecht. These kinds of mementos were common in the Dutch Republic. The text on the medal functions much like a tombstone inscription. But instead of being placed in a church or graveyard, it was something to keep and share, almost like a business card. It speaks to the cultural and religious values of the time, a period when the Dutch Republic was a major center of trade and intellectual life. The medal is a reminder of the importance of religion, family, and community in Dutch society, and of the ways in which people sought to create lasting memorials to their loved ones. Such objects of material culture are important historical resources, and auction catalogs may offer the best clues as to their provenance.