Beker van la corporation des poissonniers before 1883

This photograph documents a metalwork cup made for the fishmongers guild and displayed at the 1882 Ghent Exposition des Arts Industriels in Belgium. Guilds like this one were powerful institutions that regulated trade, set standards for craftsmanship, and provided social support to their members. Looking at the image, we see the cup is elaborately decorated, reflecting the wealth and status of the fishmongers' guild. Guilds often commissioned such objects to display their power and prestige in civic life. Ghent was a major industrial center in the 19th century, and the Exposition was designed to showcase the city’s economic achievements, of which the guilds were an integral part. To fully understand this cup, we might consult historical records of the Ghent guilds, accounts of the 1882 Exposition, and studies of industrialization in Belgium. Art like this cup isn't just about aesthetics; it reflects the complex social, economic, and political structures of its time.