Holandese-Armenian Marriage Medal - (Altar / Winged Genius) - Gold
Identifier
Bedoukian-8; ANRO-1427
Reference Description
Obverse:
At the center stand a bride and groom on either side of a small altar. On the altar’s face are four sculpted hearts, with the top two shown aflame. Rays of light stream downward from the upper portion, illuminating the couple. In the left background, a palm tree is visible, suggesting a setting of fertility or victory. Around the top perimeter, in Armenian, is the legend «ՍՈՒՐԲ ԱՄՈՒՍՆՈՒԹԻ:» (“Holy Matrimony”). Along the bottom edge (in the exergue) is the Latin inscription M. HOLTZHEY FEC.
Reverse:
A winged genius (an allegorical male figure) dominates the center, standing and facing left. In his right hand, he holds a flaming torch aloft; in his left hand, he grasps two hearts, signifying love and devotion. Behind him is a basin in which three swans swim—symbols often associated with fidelity. To the left of the basin appears a shore or embankment, and to the right, a wall adorned with vine‐like motifs. In the far background, an open sea stretches out, dotted with sailing vessels beneath a partly cloudy sky. Around the upper perimeter, in Armenian, is the legend «ՆԱԽԱՏԵՍՈՒԹԻ. ԱԾԱՅԻՆ:» (“Divine Providence”).
Specifications: Gold, 50mm
Artist / Engraver: Holtzhey, Martinus sr (1697-1764)
At the center stand a bride and groom on either side of a small altar. On the altar’s face are four sculpted hearts, with the top two shown aflame. Rays of light stream downward from the upper portion, illuminating the couple. In the left background, a palm tree is visible, suggesting a setting of fertility or victory. Around the top perimeter, in Armenian, is the legend «ՍՈՒՐԲ ԱՄՈՒՍՆՈՒԹԻ:» (“Holy Matrimony”). Along the bottom edge (in the exergue) is the Latin inscription M. HOLTZHEY FEC.
Reverse:
A winged genius (an allegorical male figure) dominates the center, standing and facing left. In his right hand, he holds a flaming torch aloft; in his left hand, he grasps two hearts, signifying love and devotion. Behind him is a basin in which three swans swim—symbols often associated with fidelity. To the left of the basin appears a shore or embankment, and to the right, a wall adorned with vine‐like motifs. In the far background, an open sea stretches out, dotted with sailing vessels beneath a partly cloudy sky. Around the upper perimeter, in Armenian, is the legend «ՆԱԽԱՏԵՍՈՒԹԻ. ԱԾԱՅԻՆ:» (“Divine Providence”).
Specifications: Gold, 50mm
Artist / Engraver: Holtzhey, Martinus sr (1697-1764)
Notes
De Nederlandsche Bank - Numismatic Collection - 1994-3033
Royal Coin Cabinet of Medals, The Hague ???
Royal Coin Cabinet of Medals, The Hague ???
Images
Items in Catalog Category
Citation
“Holandese-Armenian Marriage Medal - (Altar / Winged Genius) - Gold,” Armenian Numismatic Research Organization, accessed March 29, 2025, http://armnumres.org/items/show/1427.