Maastricht door België aan Nederland teruggegeven, overeenkomstig de voorwaarden van het vredesverdrag

About this artwork

diameter 4,1 cm x gewicht 29,92 gr

Art Historical Context

This exquisite medal, titled *Maastricht door België aan teruggegeven, overeenkomst de voorwaarden van het vredverdrag* ("Maastricht Returned by Belgium to the Netherlands Accordance with the Peace Treaty"), struck by Belgian medallist Jacob Wiener in 1841. Measuring just 4.1 cm in diameter weighing 29.92, it exemplifies the precision 19th-century metalworking through the striking technique—a process where a die stamps intricate designs into softened metal under high pressure, allowing for fine details on both obverse and reverse. The medal commemorates a pivotal moment in European history following the Belgian Revolution of 1830. Amid territorial disputes, the 1839 Treaty of London resolved the partition of Limburg, with Belgium formally returning the fortified city of Maastricht to the Netherlands. Wiener's work captures this diplomatic triumph, symbolizing reconciliation and national pride through symbolic imagery typical of commemorative medals, which served as portable tokens of historical events. As a product of the Romantic era's fascination with nationalism and precision craftsmanship, this small artifact highlights the medal's role in personal and public memory, bridging art and diplomacy for collectors and historians alike.

About the Artist

Jacob Wiener · 1815–1899

Jacob Wiener (1815–1899), also known as Jacques Wiener, was a Belgian medallist and engraver of exceptional skill whose work left an indelible mark on 19th-century European numismatic art. Born on February 27, 1815, in Hoerstgen (in present-day Germany), Wiener would become one of Belgium's most distinguished engravers, contributing significantly to the young nation's cultural identity through his...