Degen met schede van A.L. de Bruyn Kops c. 1847 - 1890

This sword with sheath was crafted by an anonymous maker for A.L. de Bruyn Kops. It speaks of a time when even civilian life was punctuated by a degree of formality and the ever-present possibility of conflict. The sword and sheath remind us that social status was often performed through dress and accoutrements. To understand its meaning we need to reconstruct the world of its owner. What was their profession? What were their social aspirations? How did they want to be seen by their peers? The identity of the original owner is key. Genealogical records, social registers, and period newspapers might reveal the status and aspirations of A.L. de Bruyn Kops. Such research helps us understand the personal and social meanings embedded in this object, transforming it from a mere weapon into a symbol of individual identity within a specific cultural context.