hemdsknoop van goud met in vijfpas een mansportret 1725 - 1750

This golden shirt button, created by Gerrit Beekhuis, captivates with its diminutive scale and intricate detailing. The luminous gold, worked into a textured surface, catches light, creating an alluring play of shadow and reflection. The button features a portrait of a man within a five-lobed floral motif. Here, the symbolic structure of the portrait within the decorative pattern invites us to consider its meaning beyond mere ornamentation. The circular format, echoed in the button's overall shape, creates a self-contained world, a microcosm of identity and status. The button is an exploration of form and representation, where the interplay between the medium, the texture and the design elements challenges our understanding of value, and invites us to interpret this small object as a reflection of larger societal values.