Zijdelakenkopers- en -kramersgilde van Middelburg, gildepenning met no. 19 1705

This guild badge of the Middelburg silk merchants, made by Johannes van Vijven, presents a study in symbolic geometry and representation. The circular form, unbroken and continuous, speaks to the guild's unity and enduring nature, while its metallic composition underscores its material value and the wealth associated with the silk trade. The obverse and reverse each employ distinct organizational principles. The obverse presents a lively scene of commerce, centralized around a table, with figures arranged in a shallow relief that mimics the composition of a stage. The reverse features a heraldic emblem. Here, the layering of symbols—crown, scepter, and bale of goods—creates a complex visual hierarchy, where the scale and placement indicate importance and power. The badge functions not merely as a marker of affiliation but as a condensed semiotic system. Through its design, the badge communicates status, authority, and the economic power of the silk merchant guild in Middelburg.