Watch List notes:

European Medals from 1513 to 1788

Netherlands, North Holland - The Dutch Republic. Amsterdam. Circa 1640. Wedding Medal (Silver, parcel-gilt, 67mm, 42.17 g 12), finely cast in imitation of engraving, with a broad raised rim. Settet mij gelijek enen segel op uwe herte ende gelijck eenen segel op uwen arme: want de liefde is sterck gelijck de doot ende yuer is vast gelijck de helle. Cantica 8 6 (=Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death, jealousy as hard as hell. Canticle [Song of Solomon] 8.6) Scene of the Spiritual Marriage: Christ, treading on Death and holding a long cross in his lefthand, clasping hands with Faith, holding a chalice in her left hand and crowned by an angel; to left, Charity and Hope; above, Hebrew name of Jehovah in rays; to right, a group of biblical characters, including Moses holding the Tablets of the Law; around, a decorative band inlaid in niello. Rev. *huijs ende goet erven de ouders, maer een vernuflich wijf comt van den heere. pro 19 Een vrint comt totten anderen in der noot, maer de man ende wijf veel meer. ecl 5 (=House and riches are inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord. Proverbs 19 / A friend and companion never meet amiss; but above both is a wife with her husband. Ecclesiasticus 40.23) Within a large church, a young couple clasp hands in marriage before an elderly priest; behind, various onlookers; below, blank cartouche; around, a decorative band inlaid in niello. Frederiks 163 (this piece). Metropolitan Museum of Art 60.24. A very attractive and very rare medal. Nearly extremely fine.