Netherlands Medal Possibly 17th century Capture of ’s-Hertogenbosch, 1629 - after Johannes Looff ZF

Netherlands — Capture of ’s-Hertogenbosch, 1629 — Satirical medal after Johannes Looff — Possibly 17th century

Historical medal commemorating Frederik Hendrik’s capture of ’s-Hertogenbosch in 1629. An apparently cast example after the design of Johannes Looff, possibly dating from the seventeenth century.

Obverse: the crowned Dutch lion holding a raised sword and a bundle of arrows, surrounded by trees, animals and fantastic creatures. The legend HINC INIMICA MIHI · SILVA EST MEA · CEDITE MONSTRA proclaims: “Depart, monsters hostile to me; the wood is mine.”

The woodland forms a visual pun on Den Bosch. The lion’s opponents are represented as animals and monsters, combining celebration of the military victory with anti-Catholic satire.

Reverse: an extensive Latin inscription within an elaborate floral border, celebrating Frederik Hendrik’s conquest and referring to the unsuccessful enemy intervention on the Veluwe. The signature I. Looff appears below.

The Looff design is dated circa 1638–1639 by the Rijksmuseum, commemorating the events of 1629. The precise manufacturing date of the present specimen remains uncertain.

Provenance: from an older collection assembled by Osse Munthandel in the 1970s.

Diameter: 54 mm.
Weight: 38.7 g.
Edge thickness: approximately 4 mm.

Reference for the corresponding design: Van Loon, volume II, p. 182.

Verzendkosten