Passement- en lintwerkersgilde van Amsterdam, gildepenning van Steven Rouson 1705

This is a silver guild badge from Amsterdam, commemorating Steven Rouson in 1705. Guilds were powerful organizations, and this badge connects us to the social structures of the time. They regulated trade, protected workers’ interests, and fostered a sense of community. Looking at the badge today, what stories does it tell about identity and belonging? The coat of arms and inscriptions link it to a specific place and time. It speaks of a collective identity, as members shared knowledge, maintained standards, and supported each other. What did it mean to belong to a guild, especially for marginalized individuals? What traditions did they uphold, and what power did they wield within the community? Badges like these offer a tactile connection to those who came before us. They remind us that even the smallest objects can hold profound cultural significance.