Schippersgilde te 's-Hertogenbosch, gildepenning door het gilde geschonken aan opperdeken Willem Cornelis Ackersdyck 1783 - 1784

Editor: Here we have a guild medal from 1783-1784, made in the Dutch Republic for the Schippersgilde, or Boatmen's Guild, in 's-Hertogenbosch. It was gifted to Willem Cornelis Ackersdyck, their chief officer. What strikes me most is its combination of practicality as a functional object with its artistic value as an engraved metal print. How do you interpret this piece? Curator: It's fascinating to consider this medal as more than just decorative. Guilds played a crucial role in early modern society, regulating trades and protecting their members' interests. A medal like this, presented to the leader, speaks volumes about the public image guilds cultivated. What stories did they want to tell through this imagery? Editor: Good question! The engraving prominently features a ship, so it likely communicates the guild’s central trade, and their pride in it. Does its artistic style further enhance our understanding of Dutch guilds during the Golden Age? Curator: Absolutely. The craftsmanship visible even in this small object reflects the guilds' emphasis on quality and skill. Furthermore, consider the choice of metal – likely silver – and the act of bestowing it. It's not merely a symbol; it's an embodiment of the guild's prestige and power within the community. How do you think the social status of the guilds may have informed their art? Editor: I guess the guilds were powerful, because they have been influential enough to make decorative yet beautiful objects that signified their influence. And thanks for helping me think through this artwork beyond just its surface appeal. Curator: And thank you for getting us to think about the value and agency that trade organizations were able to produce.