Korendragers- en -stortersgilde van Amsterdam, gildepenning van Jan Dykman 1766

Here is a bronze guild badge of Jan Dykman, made in Amsterdam around 1766. At just over 3 centimeters in diameter, it presents a study in the subtle manipulation of scale and form. On one side, the inscription "Jan Dykman, 21 Aug 1766" is meticulously engraved, each letter a deliberate stroke that occupies and defines its own space. Turning to the other face, we see a figure rendered in profile, carrying a basket, presumably of grain. This is where the composition truly engages us. The figure, though small, is imbued with a certain monumentality, its form stretching vertically to fill the circular space. The linear quality of the engraving, set against the dark patina of the bronze, creates a visual tension. One might consider this piece as not merely commemorative, but as a symbolic artifact, reflecting the socio-economic structures of its time. It's a testament to how even the most utilitarian of objects can embody complex cultural narratives.