Korenlichtermansgilde van Amsterdam, gildepenning van Jacob Steffens 1795

This guild penny, made in 1795, features a ship beneath a crown. The ship, the vessel by which commerce and connection flowed, is a powerful symbol. Think of the ship as a motif, appearing throughout history, laden with meaning and cultural weight. We see it in ancient Egyptian funerary boats, transporting souls to the afterlife, and in Viking longships, symbols of exploration and conquest. Even in contemporary art, ships can represent journeys, both physical and psychological. Here, the vessel is associated with the transport of goods and the safety of trade in Amsterdam. The crown, which is placed directly above the ship, is another potent symbol, evoking authority and power. Yet its position above the ship also suggests divine protection or royal endorsement of the guild's activities. These symbols are not static; they evolve. The emotional resonance of the ship as a symbol of hope and peril engages us on a subconscious level, resurfacing and taking on new meanings across time.