Musketmaat met oortjes, zonder onderkant en dop c. 1590 - 1596

This is an anonymous musket measure with ears, without bottom and cap. It sits in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Likely originating from the Netherlands during a period of intense maritime and military activity, this modest object speaks volumes about the social and economic forces at play. Uniformity of weaponry had become essential to warfare by this period. This measure would have ensured that each soldier received a consistent amount of gunpowder, reflecting a growing need for standardized equipment within European armies. But it raises many questions. Who made it? Who used it? How was quality control maintained, and by whom? Such objects can be read in terms of their place in the military-industrial complex. Historians can use a wide range of archival sources—military records, manufacturing inventories, and trade documents—to better understand the measure's purpose and broader impact. Approaching art in this way emphasizes its role in shaping the social and institutional context of its time.