Josue Dupon Low Relief

harasha

I came across this unusual low relief by one of my favorite artists.

TwoKopeiki

Another beauty, Harasha! Is it bronze?

harasha

It appears to be bronze.

I have seen before the figure reclining on the obverse. I believe that he is the personification of Antwerp.

The legends are:

Obv: De Schelde sLands Welvaart

Rev: Antwerpen Ten Jare (10th anniversary?) 1927
Werd Tusschen
Staat en Stad
Besloten tot Afstand der Noordergronden

De Schelde, I believe, is Belgium's main river, so I suspect the female figure represents that river.

I showed the photos to a Dutch friend of mine. From what he tells me, the medal appears to commemorate the prosperity brought about by the improvement of Antwerp's harbor, in 1917 (?). I suspect the reference on the reverse celebrates the fact that cargo can now pass directly from the river Schelde to the northern shoals (Noordergronden) that shelter Antwerp harbor. I further suspect that the project was a collaboration between city and state.