Model of a Buoy 1831

This copper buoy model was produced anonymously, its date of creation unknown. Its very anonymity suggests the complex social and institutional systems through which technologies like this developed. Think of the Dutch Republic, a global maritime power. The need for safe waterways meant employing skilled laborers and engineers to create and maintain systems of navigation. This buoy, while a model, speaks to a larger network of knowledge and expertise. Its form, constructed from riveted copper plates, reflects an understanding of materials and hydrodynamics. Without knowing its specific date or maker, we can only speculate about its purpose. Was it a demonstration piece, a teaching aid, or a prototype? Regardless, it provides a tangible link to the historical context of maritime trade. Studying these objects allows us to question the social structures of its time. Accessing archival documents from the relevant maritime institutions would help uncover the hidden narratives embedded within this object.