Kroning van Jacobus II tot koning van Engeland, ter ere van Maria van Engeland

About this artwork

diameter 3,5 cm x gewicht 15,45 gr

Art Historical Context

This exquisite struck medal, titled *Kroning van Jacob II tot koning van Engeland, ter ere van Maria Engeland* (Coronation of James II as of England, in Honor of Mary of England), was crafted by Jean Roëtt in 1685. Measuring just 3.5 cm in diameter and weighing 15.45 grams, it exemplifies the precision of 17th-century metalworking. Roëttiers, a renowned Dutch-born engraver and chief engraver at the Royal Mint under Charles II and James II, used the striking technique—hammering a die into softened metal—to create detailed, high-relief portraits and scenes, a hallmark of Baroque-era medal art that blended artistry with propaganda. The medal commemorates James II's coronation at Westminster Abbey on February 6, 1685, following the death of his brother Charles II. It honors Queen Mary (likely Mary of Modena, James's Catholic consort), symbolizing royal continuity amid political tensions. As James was England's last Catholic monarch, such medals served as portable emblems of legitimacy, distributed to courtiers and loyalists. Their small size made them intimate keepsakes, worn as jewelry or collected by enthusiasts. Roëttiers' family dynasty of medallists elevated these objects from mere currency to sculptural masterpieces, capturing fleeting historical moments with lifelike engraving. This piece offers a tangible glimpse into the opulent yet precarious Stuart court, inviting us to ponder the pageantry—and peril—of absolutist rule.