St. Lucas- of schilders- en konstwerkersgilde van Rotterdam, gildepenning van Pieter Ryckx, beeldhouwer c. 1666 - 1672

This is a guild badge of Pieter Ryckx, sculptor, rendered anonymously in bronze. The oval shape is bisected by figuration on both sides, creating a striking, textural bas-relief. On one side, a bull's head rises above a shield, encircled by foliage, emblems of prosperity and artistic cultivation. The reverse features Pieter Ryckx's name floating above an assortment of musical instruments. The drum, stringed instrument, and cymbal, point to celebration and harmony. Through a semiotic lens, the badge blends the heraldic with the artistic, signifying a community bound by craft and shared cultural values. This badge is not merely ornamental; it is a coded object communicating status and belonging. The bronze material, itself durable and enduring, mirrors the guild's commitment to preserving artistic traditions. This badge embodies an intersection of identity, artistry, and collective purpose.