Wedding medallion

A large number of Dutch seventeenth-century engraved silver medals have survived. Some of these were designed to commemorate a special occasion, others, the more common ones, were more generic and were available for purchase to anyone. Among the latter were so-called huwelijkspenningen, pledges of the promise of marriage, presented to the future bride as proof of the betrothal. After the wedding ceremony had taken place, names, initials and a date could be added to the medal.




This silver huwelijkspenning shows on the obverse a couple in a lofty architectural setting, probably a church interior, holding each other by the right hand. This so-called dextrarum iunctio, the shaking of each other’s right hand is a metaphor of marital unity and symbolizes the promise of faithfulness. This gesture is still practiced at wedding ceremonies today.




The reverse side illustrates a scene from the Old Testament story of Adam and Eve. Having eaten the forbidden fruit, the couple cover themselves realizing that they are naked. At right, standing next to the Tree of Knowledge, God admonishes them. (Genesis; chapter 3, verses 8-9). This scene is based on an engraving dating to 1540 by the German artist Heinrich Aldegrever (ca. 1502–1555/1561) [See 41.1.134].