Scheepmakersgilde van Vlissingen, gildepenning met no. 37 1654

This 17th-century guild medal, dating back to 1654, belonged to the Scheepmakersgilde van Vlissingen, the Shipbuilders' Guild of Vlissingen. The medal is a circular disc of metal, measuring 6 cm in diameter, with two sides. On one side, the medal shows a ship, a symbol of the guild's trade, and an inscription in Dutch. The other side displays a stylized vase, possibly a representation of the guild's patron saint. The medal is a testament to the importance of guilds in the Dutch Republic, where they played a vital role in regulating trade and promoting craftsmanship. Guild medals were often used as tokens of membership, and they served to identify and unite members of the guild.