Timmerlieden-, metselaars-, loodgieters-, steenhouwers- en straatmakersgilde van 's-Hertogenbosch, gildepenning van Jan van Summeren 1789

Editor: So, here we have the guild badge, dating back to 1789, of Jan van Summeren, from the guild of timbermen, masons, plumbers, stonecutters, and pavers of 's-Hertogenbosch. It looks like it’s made from some kind of metal, possibly brass. It feels very... utilitarian. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This piece is fascinating from a materialist perspective. We see here not just an art object, but a relic of labor. The materials themselves – brass, likely locally sourced – speak to the economic realities of craft production in the late 18th century. How do you think the design was physically realized on the metal? Editor: It looks like etching, perhaps? Curator: Exactly! Think about the skilled labor involved: the cutting of the die, the precise etching…and consider the guild itself. Guilds controlled not only production but also training and the market. How does understanding the social context, this framework of artisan labor and localized economies, change how you perceive the object itself? Editor: It makes me consider who was wearing it, what was it made of, who it was accessible to... almost like the working-class version of wearing a coat of arms, as a symbol of status in society. Curator: Precisely. The choice of materials, the manufacturing process, all are infused with socio-economic meaning, moving this beyond simply a decorative object to a document of working lives and the societal structures around its makers. Editor: That's a powerful idea, I've never looked at art from this point of view! I'll definitely be considering materials in a different light from now on!