Doortocht van admiraal van Wassenaar Obdam door de Sont
1658
Medium
striking (metalworking)
Dimensions
4.7; 24.53
About this artwork
Zilveren penning. Voorzijde: zeeslag met op achtergrond slot Kronenburg. Keerzijde: stad Kopenhagen met haven onder wimpel met opschrift.
Art Historical Context
In 1658, Dutch medalist Johann Höhn crafted this exquisite silver medal, known as *Doortocht van admiraal van Wassenaar Ob door de Sont* (Passage of Admiral vanenaar Obdam through the Sound). Measuring just 4.7 cm in diameter and weighing .53 grams, it exemplifies the precision of struck metalworking—a technique where intricate designs are hammered into thin silver sheets using engraved dies. Such small-scale commemorative medals were popular in 17th-century Europe, as portable historical records and tokens of national pride. The obverse captures a dramatic naval battle in the Øresund strait,...