Chirurgijns- of Cosmus en Damianusgilde van Middelburg, gildepenning met no. 22 1756

This silver guild badge was made in 1756 in Middelburg, now part of the Netherlands, for the Guild of Surgeons, named after the patron saints Cosmas and Damian. Guilds were associations of craftsmen or merchants, and this piece reflects the social structures of its time. Guilds operated as regulatory bodies, setting standards for quality, training, and trade practices. By controlling who could practice a particular craft or profession, guilds maintained a degree of economic and social stability. The imagery on the badge, including the coats of arms and names, suggests the membership and perhaps the leadership of the guild. The very existence of such a badge indicates the guild’s investment in its own public image and internal cohesion. To understand this piece fully, historians turn to guild records, local histories, and period documents that illuminate the socio-economic roles of these organizations. The badge isn’t just a piece of metal; it’s a window into a complex network of social relations and institutional practices.