Commemorating the Universal Exhibition at Amsterdam, 1895
1895
Medium
Copper gilt
Dimensions
Diameter: 2 3/16 in. (5.6 cm)
Classification
Medals and Plaquettes
Culture
Dutch
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of James B. Hammond, 1909
Accession Number
09.43.2
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite copper gilt medal, crafted by Dutch artist J.M. in 1895, commemorates the Universal Exhibition held in Amsterdam that year—a grand international showcase of innovation,, and culture, much like the world's fairs sweeping Europe at the fin de siècle. Standing just 2 3/16 inches (5.6 cm) in diameter, it served as a portable souvenir, celebrating national pride amid global exchange. Such medals were prized collectibles, blending artistry with historical documentation. The piece exemplifies the precision of 19th-century medal-making, with its gilded copper surface lending a regal sh...