Knoop versierd met lelies c. 1590 - 1596

This button, decorated with lilies, was crafted by an anonymous artist and is now held in the Rijksmuseum. Its small size belies its potential significance. Buttons, seemingly mundane objects, held considerable social and cultural weight, particularly during periods of elaborate fashion. The lily motif adorning this button is not merely decorative; it is a symbol with deep historical associations. In many European cultures, the lily represented purity, royalty, and divine favor. Consider the context in which this button might have been worn. Who possessed it? What social class did they belong to? Was it used for ceremonial or everyday attire? These questions lead us to investigate the social structures, economic conditions, and political movements that influenced the production and consumption of such objects. By consulting historical records, fashion archives, and material culture studies, we can begin to unravel the stories embedded within this seemingly simple button. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional context.