Kompas- en zeilmakersgilde van Amsterdam, gildepenning van Pieter Cornelisz Neyg 1742

This is a guild badge of Pieter Cornelisz Neyg of the Amsterdam compass and sailmakers guild. It's small, a dark metal, and round, but don’t let its unassuming appearance fool you. Guilds like this one were powerful forces in the Dutch Republic. They regulated trades, set standards, and protected their members' interests. Being part of a guild meant more than just having a job; it was about belonging, status, and shared identity. Neyg’s badge represents that sense of belonging and the importance of maritime trade to Amsterdam’s identity. One side shows what appears to be a portion of a ship's stern, while the other bears Neyg's name, a personal mark within the collective. This badge is a quiet reminder of the individuals who powered the Dutch Golden Age through their skill and labor. It's a personal artifact that reflects the collective ambitions and identities of a community bound by trade and the sea.