"Murder of the de Witt Brothers" cast silver Medal 1672-Dated XF, Van Loon-III-90.3, Saunders/Vanhoudt 1672.47. Unsigned. Conjoined busts to right. Rev. Engraved tablet supported by two putti, a winged hourglass, two urns and two crossed scythes above, a skull below. JOAN DE WIT / PENSIONARIS VAN HOLLANT ETCT. EN SYN BROEDER CORNELIS DE WIT RUART VAN DEN LANDE VAN PUTTEN / BEIJDE OMGEBRAGHT IN 'S GRAVENHAGE / AUGUSTI 20 A' 1672. Plaquettepenning or hollow cast medal, later filled with silver. Accompanied by 17th century collector's ticket. Very rare. Beautiful toning on the reverse engraved tablet. On August 20, 1672, Johan de Witt, the Grand Pensionary of Holland, and his brother Cornelis were murdered by a mob in The Hague near the Gevangenpoort, where Cornelis had been imprisoned on false charges of treason. Amidst the chaos of the "Rampjaar" (Disaster Year), in which the Dutch Republic faced simultaneous invasions by France, England, and others, the brothers were scapegoated for military failures and the decline of the republic's defense. Their deaths, encouraged by Orangist factions loyal to William of Orange, marked the collapse of the Dutch republican regime and the resurgence of monarchical power. HID09801242017 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice

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