Knoop c. 1590 - 1596

This ‘Knoop’ or knot, currently residing in the Rijksmuseum, was crafted by an anonymous maker. Its small size belies its historical significance. In a time when clothing denoted social standing, even the smallest details, such as buttons and knots, spoke volumes. Who would have made this? Was it someone of high status, or was it a demonstration of the maker's skill and patience, a quiet rebellion against the rigid hierarchies of the time? What does it mean to create something so beautiful anonymously? We can imagine the artisan meticulously winding the thread, each loop a testament to hours of focused labor. This simple object, elevated to art, invites us to consider the countless untold stories of those who lived, worked, and created in the margins of history.