Een ransel met draagriemen gedragen door J. Boelen Jkzn., in 1830/32 Vrijwillige Flankeur, later korporaal Holl. Schutterij, 1e Afd. 1e Bat. c. 1800 - 1830

This is a knapsack with straps, crafted in 1830-32 by an anonymous maker, and once carried by J. Boelen Jkzn., a member of the Dutch civic guard. The use of animal fur isn't merely utilitarian; it speaks to primal connections. Fur has always been a potent symbol of survival, status, and identity. Think of the heroic figures adorned in animal pelts in ancient sculptures, or the ceremonial robes of indigenous cultures—all visually declaring a bond with the animal world, a connection to strength and the wild. Even today, the presence of fur can evoke a sense of the archaic—a direct link to our ancestors. Perhaps this knapsack carries a subconscious echo of the wild, reminding us of the courage and resilience needed in times of civic duty. The rough texture against the skin might serve as a constant, visceral reminder of what it means to protect and provide. This humble object is thus a tangible link to enduring human values.