Schoenmakersgilde, gildepenning van Jacob Brant 1758

This is a guild badge of Jacob Brant, a shoemaker, dating back to 1758, crafted by an anonymous artist. Guilds played a vital role in society, regulating trades and providing a sense of community, but they also reflected rigid social hierarchies. This badge, with its detailed depiction of a stylish shoe, speaks to individual identity within collective structures. The act of crafting shoes was more than a job, it was an identity, carefully regulated and passed down through generations. Brant's name, inscribed with care, personalizes the object, emphasizing his pride and membership in the guild. This badge reflects a specific moment when craft, identity, and community converged. It’s a reminder of how our identities are often shaped by the work we do.