Derde eeuwfeest van de Hervormde kerk in Frankrijk een eerste Nationale Synode van de Hervormde kerken

About this artwork

Koperen penning. Voorzijde: groep mensen in gebed, verzameld rond tafel, waarop twee boeken en twee inktstellen staan binnen omschrift; afsnede: datering en signatuur. Keerzijde: opengeslagen boek met opschrift in stralenkrans binnen omschrift; afsnede: datering

Art Historical Context

Crafted in 1859 by Belgian medallist Jean François Antoine Bovy, this struck copper medal (diameter 6.9 cm, 145.73 g) commemorates the third centenary of the Reformed in France—also known as the Huguen church—and the inaugural National Synod of 1559. This event marked a pivotal moment in French Protestantism, uniting Calvinist communities amid religious tensions during the Reformation. Bovy's piece captures the era's spirit of faith and remembrance, blending historical reverence with fine metalworking artistry. The obverse depicts a pious group gathered in prayer around a table bearing two books and inkstands, symbolizing scripture, scholarship, and synodal deliberation, all framed by an inscription. The reverse features an open book radiating glory, evoking divine inspiration and the authority of Reformed doctrine. Bovy's precise engraving and striking technique—hammering designs into metal dies—yield sharp details and a lustrous finish, hallmarks of 19th-century numismatic art that elevated medals from mere tokens to sculptural heirlooms. As a tangible relic of religious milestone, this medal highlights the enduring cultural role of such objects in Europe, preserving Protestant heritage through exquisite craftsmanship accessible to collectors and devotees alike.