Handelsetiket van zijdefabrikeurs Rigail te Leiden 1756

This is a trade card designed by Jan Wandelaar in 1756 for the Rigail brothers’ silk manufactory in Leiden. It’s a fascinating artifact of early modern capitalism, dense with symbols of commerce and status. We see allegorical figures like Mercury, god of trade, alongside images of raw materials and finished goods. The card cleverly combines classical imagery with symbols specific to the Rigail firm, such as the rooster and stars, communicating messages about both their wealth and their values. The card's design speaks volumes about the social aspirations of manufacturers in the Dutch Republic. The use of French in “Les Freres” reveals their desire to appeal to an international market. This was a period of intense economic competition. Trade cards were a crucial part of how businesses built their brand and distinguished themselves. To fully understand this trade card, we would want to delve into the archives of Leiden, examining the records of the silk industry and the history of the Rigail family. This image shows us that art is deeply embedded in the economic and social structures of its time.