Holandese-Armenian Medal - Aleksan, son of Maseh - Gold
Identifier
Bedoukian-3; ANRO-1325
Reference Description
Obverse:
The medal’s obverse features, at its center, the Lamb of God standing upon a globe, illuminated by rays emanating from an all‑seeing eye. Flanking the central cartouche are two allegorical female figures. Encircling the design in Armenian script is the legend “Ալեքսան Անապատցի, մահտեսի Մասեայի որդի, վաճառական, ծնեալ 1727 թ., որ այժմ Ամստերդամում 1742,” which translates as “Aleksan of Anapat, son of Maseh the Pilgrim, merchant, born in 1727, who now is in Amsterdam, 1742.” (Here, “mahtesi” indicates that Maseh had undertaken a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.) Above the cartouche, emanating from the crown, are the words “Խոհեմութիւն” (“Prudence”) and “Առաքինութիւն” (“Virtue”), while below the cartouche is inscribed “Կհաղթեն ամեն ինչ” (“They will conquer everything”).
Reverse:
The reverse displays a field of stylized clouds with a central equilateral triangle bearing the inscription “Հայր, Որդի, Սուրբ Հոգի, Սուրբ Աստուած” (“Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Holy God”), alluding to the Holy Trinity. Above the triangle, set alongside a sacramental chalice, is a tablet representing the Ten Commandments, the Bible, and a cross, with the inscription “Մաքուր հավատ” (“Pure Faith”) below. To the left of the triangle is an anchor paired with the legend “Հավատարիմ հույս” (“Steadfast Hope”), while to the right a blazing heart surrounded by a wreath is accompanied by “Կատարյալ սեր” (“Perfect Love”). A cherub with outspread wings is depicted at the bottom of the design.
Total weight 59.6 grams, 51 mm
The medal’s obverse features, at its center, the Lamb of God standing upon a globe, illuminated by rays emanating from an all‑seeing eye. Flanking the central cartouche are two allegorical female figures. Encircling the design in Armenian script is the legend “Ալեքսան Անապատցի, մահտեսի Մասեայի որդի, վաճառական, ծնեալ 1727 թ., որ այժմ Ամստերդամում 1742,” which translates as “Aleksan of Anapat, son of Maseh the Pilgrim, merchant, born in 1727, who now is in Amsterdam, 1742.” (Here, “mahtesi” indicates that Maseh had undertaken a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.) Above the cartouche, emanating from the crown, are the words “Խոհեմութիւն” (“Prudence”) and “Առաքինութիւն” (“Virtue”), while below the cartouche is inscribed “Կհաղթեն ամեն ինչ” (“They will conquer everything”).
Reverse:
The reverse displays a field of stylized clouds with a central equilateral triangle bearing the inscription “Հայր, Որդի, Սուրբ Հոգի, Սուրբ Աստուած” (“Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Holy God”), alluding to the Holy Trinity. Above the triangle, set alongside a sacramental chalice, is a tablet representing the Ten Commandments, the Bible, and a cross, with the inscription “Մաքուր հավատ” (“Pure Faith”) below. To the left of the triangle is an anchor paired with the legend “Հավատարիմ հույս” (“Steadfast Hope”), while to the right a blazing heart surrounded by a wreath is accompanied by “Կատարյալ սեր” (“Perfect Love”). A cherub with outspread wings is depicted at the bottom of the design.
Total weight 59.6 grams, 51 mm
Notes
Ira & Larry Goldberg Auction 116 Lot 1339 1-June-2020 (Realized $5,750)
The Mekhitarist museums in Venice and Vienna possess examples of this medal which are made of gold-washed silver.
Historical Note: Research into the identity of Aleksan of Anabad revealed that he was originally from Constantinople. An unpublished 1886 study by J. De Roever in the Amsterdam archives discovered that Maseh, Aleksan’s father, had another son in Constantinople and that Aleksan died without heirs, bequeathing his wealth to his brother’s family in Constantinople. This indicates the family maintained ties between Amsterdam and the Ottoman capital. Notably, Alexan di Masse is recorded as the client to whom the Dutch medallist J. G. Holtzhey sold “five large and five small gold medals in 1780.” This likely refers to a batch of marriage medals commissioned by Alexan, suggesting he continued the custom of ordering medals for the community or family events. It has been proposed that the concept for these elaborate virtue-and-Trinity themed medals originated with an Armenian patron (perhaps the honoree himself or a clergyman advisor) and was executed by local engravers in Holland.
The Mekhitarist museums in Venice and Vienna possess examples of this medal which are made of gold-washed silver.
Historical Note: Research into the identity of Aleksan of Anabad revealed that he was originally from Constantinople. An unpublished 1886 study by J. De Roever in the Amsterdam archives discovered that Maseh, Aleksan’s father, had another son in Constantinople and that Aleksan died without heirs, bequeathing his wealth to his brother’s family in Constantinople. This indicates the family maintained ties between Amsterdam and the Ottoman capital. Notably, Alexan di Masse is recorded as the client to whom the Dutch medallist J. G. Holtzhey sold “five large and five small gold medals in 1780.” This likely refers to a batch of marriage medals commissioned by Alexan, suggesting he continued the custom of ordering medals for the community or family events. It has been proposed that the concept for these elaborate virtue-and-Trinity themed medals originated with an Armenian patron (perhaps the honoree himself or a clergyman advisor) and was executed by local engravers in Holland.
Images
Items in Catalog Category
Citation
“Holandese-Armenian Medal - Aleksan, son of Maseh - Gold,” Armenian Numismatic Research Organization, accessed March 29, 2025, http://armnumres.org/items/show/1325.