Tamboerstok afkomstig van W. de Vries, in 1830/32 Korporaal tamboer 2e Bat. V. Afdeling Amsterdamsche Schutterij 1814 - 1830

This drum major’s staff was crafted around 1830, and belonged to W. de Vries, a corporal drummer in the Amsterdam Civic Guard. Though the artist is unknown, the object speaks volumes about the historical moment and the individual who wielded it. Envision de Vries, a member of the Citizen Militia, a group formed in a time of political upheaval in the Netherlands, as they sought to establish a constitutional monarchy. Consider his role: the drummer, the rhythm keeper, the one who literally sets the pace for civic order. This seemingly simple staff, adorned with a delicate chain, becomes a symbol of identity, of civic duty, and perhaps, of personal pride. It invites us to reflect on the role of individuals within larger historical narratives, and how personal identity intertwines with collective experience. It reminds us that even the most ordinary objects can carry profound stories of identity, duty, and belonging.