Speldje van de Nederlandsche Unie c. 1940

This small badge, made by the Nederlandsche Unie, features a lion rampant on a shield, a potent symbol rendered in miniature. The contrast between the gold and the dark infill gives the small badge an outsized impact, one that belies its size. It’s fascinating how such a tiny object can carry so much weight, right? I find myself drawn to the texture of the piece, the way the metal has aged, acquiring a patina that whispers of its history. Look closely, and you see the slight imperfections in the enamel or paint within the shield; it's a reminder of the human hand involved in its creation. The lion itself, though small, is rendered with a surprising amount of detail. The badge reminds me of other symbolic works of the 20th Century, like the pins and buttons associated with political movements, each carrying meaning and acting as a small gesture of solidarity. Badges like this embrace ambiguity, existing as both historical objects and open invitations for personal reflection.