Degendrager van ambtskostuum van burgemeester Hoytema c. 1800 - 1930

This is a sword bearer’s belt, part of the official costume of Mayor Hoytema. The anonymous maker crafted it from textile and leather. Consider the sword, a symbol of power and authority stretching back through millennia, from ancient empires to medieval knights. It is not merely a weapon, but a powerful emblem of justice and leadership. Here, this belt speaks to the tradition of vesting authority in a single individual. Think of the Roman emperors with their gladius or the medieval kings with their broadswords. Yet, this is not the sword itself, but the apparatus that carries it. It is a silent witness, a shadow of power. It evokes the emotional weight of governance, a reminder of the responsibilities and burdens borne by those in positions of authority. It represents the weight of expectations and the constant vigilance required to maintain order and uphold justice. This belt is more than just a functional object. It is a relic of a bygone era, a symbol that has evolved and adapted, but still resonates with echoes of its former glory.