Scheepmakersgilde van Vlissingen, gildepenning met no. 37 1654

This is a lead guild badge from Vlissingen, made by an anonymous artist. These badges were more than mere objects; they were symbols of belonging, identity, and power within the Dutch maritime industry. The imagery of shipbuilding on one side and the coat of arms on the other, is not just decorative. It's a declaration of the guild's purpose and authority in a society that was deeply reliant on maritime trade. The badge speaks to the economic structures of the time, the rise of merchant power, and the complex social hierarchies that governed life in the Netherlands. These badges were worn, shown, and held as markers of status and affiliation, yet these objects tell tales of labor, commerce, and the intricate web of social relations that shaped the maritime world. They evoke the stories of the individuals who navigated the waters of identity, community, and craft.