Holandese-Armenian Marriage Medal - (Oval; Altar / Matrimony) - Silver

Bedoukian-1; ANRO-1426

Obverse:
At the center stand a bride and groom facing each other on either side of a small altar. Each extends the right hand over the altar, where two stylized hearts appear. Rays emanate from above, symbolizing divine blessing on their union. Around the upper perimeter in Armenian is the legend «ՍՈՒՐԲ ԱՄՈՒՍՆՈՒԹԻՒՆ» (Surb Amusnut‘iwn – “Holy Matrimony”).
«ԳՈԼՅԱՐՈԼԹԻՒՆ» in exergue (meaning?? everlasting union??)

Reverse:
A field of light rays descends from the top. At the center, two forearms—one male, one female—reach in from opposite sides and clasp hands directly above a similarly styled altar. Beneath or on this altar, two small hearts (or heart-like motifs) are again depicted. Along the upper perimeter is «ՆԱԽԱՏԵՍՈՒԹԻՒՆ ԱԾԱՅԻՆ» (“Divine Providence”). Unlike some later medals, no place-name or date appears at the bottom.

Likely one of the earliest Armenian marriage medals struck in Amsterdam. It was probably made by a local Dutch engraver for the Armenian community, imitating European marriage medal designs. Later Armenian medals by the Holtzhey family seem to have used this medal’s design as a prototype, though those later pieces exhibit superior artistry.

Specifications: Oval, Silver, 40.6x36.2mm, 16.66g
Artist / Engraver: Holtzhey, Martinus sr (1697-1764)

De Nederlandsche Bank - Numismatic Collection - 1993-3965
Royal Coin Cabinet of Medals, The Hague ???