Vest van grof wit laken met koperen knopen met een gekroonde 'W', deel van een ambtskostuum van een rijksbetaalmeester c. 1885 - 1899

This vest, part of a civil servant’s uniform, was made from coarse white cloth with copper buttons stamped with a crowned “W.” The fabric speaks volumes. This isn't the fine broadcloth of the aristocracy. Rather, it is a robust material, reflecting a practical purpose. Consider the labor involved in its creation. From the cultivation of flax or wool, through the spinning of yarn and weaving of cloth, to the cutting and sewing of the garment, many hands were involved. The copper buttons, each stamped with its royal mark, hint at the industrial processes that were beginning to transform production at the time. The vest's design is simple and functional. Every stitch speaks to the values of its wearer, who would have favored practicality over ostentation. By attending to these details, we can move beyond conventional notions of art history, and understand this vest as a powerful expression of social identity and material culture.