Scharenslijpersgilde van Amsterdam, gildepenning van Cornelis Banckrus 1629

This silver gild penny of Cornelis Banckrus, of approximately 5 cm in size, presents a fascinating interplay between form and function. The rounded rectangular shape, softened at the edges, immediately suggests an object meant to be handled and carried, indicative of its social purpose within the Amsterdam Scharenslipersgilde. On one side, we observe an engraving dominated by a central figure under an arch, the composition suggesting the guild's trade, with text inscribed above and below. The reverse side is filled with neatly arranged text. The contrast between the figurative and the textual creates a dialogue that speaks to the guild's identity and purpose. The penny serves not just as a marker of membership but also as a statement of the guild's values and role. The object’s visual and tactile qualities contribute to a broader understanding of the cultural and economic structures of its time.