Watch List notes:

THE DUTCH REPUBLIC. Uncertain city, possibly Amsterdam. Circa 1640s. Marriage Medal (Silver, 66 mm, 27.02 g, 12 h), engraved and partially inlaid in niello. Scene of an elegantly dressed man and woman (wearing a large, brimmed hat with a plume) clasping their hands in marriage before a pastor; all within a large church with six bystanders; acanthus leaf border. Rev. Christ, standing left, holding long cross and clasping hands with a crowned woman, standing right, holding a cup in her left hand; behind her, woman with two children and two serving women; above the woman with the cup, angel flying right, crowning her with a wreath; above, name of Jehovah in rays and the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, flying downwards; below Christ's feet, skeleton; to right, in the background, man with sword expelling a crowd through an arch; ornamental border. Extremely rare. Very skillfully engraved and attractively toned. Extremely fine.



The scenes on this medal are of standard types, but these are particularly finely done. There is a blank space in the obverse exergue, which was probably meant to be inscribed with the initials of the marriage pair.