Hartsvanger 1735 - 1750

This ‘Hartsvanger,’ or hunting hanger, was likely made in the Netherlands by Anthony van Puttelaar, although we have no definite date for its creation. The silver-inlaid steel would have been both a practical tool and a symbol of status. The hunting hanger's social significance lies in its connection to the elite culture of the hunt. Hunting was not merely a means of acquiring food, but a ritualized performance of social hierarchy. The right to hunt was often restricted to the nobility, and the accoutrements of the hunt, like this sword, became markers of class distinction. We might want to look at paintings and prints from the era to understand the ways in which hunting was depicted and the social values it embodied. The Rijksmuseum itself plays a role in shaping our understanding of this object, as it has been preserved and presented as a work of art worthy of display and study. By studying the material culture of the hunt, and how museums curate these objects, we can better understand the social and cultural values of the time.