Schippersgilde van Amsterdam, gildepenning Arent Hermetesz Vroom 1688

This is a bronze guild badge, made in Amsterdam in 1688, for the guild of ship captains. The medal is an object of utility as well as craftsmanship, with a hole at the top so it could be worn or displayed. Notice the details of the sailing ship. The medal’s small size speaks to the tradition of miniature sculpture and printmaking, requiring incredible skill with tools to create a lasting image. The inscription on the reverse identifies the guild member Arent Hermetesz Vroom. It tells us about belonging and membership. The medal’s materiality also reveals the social context of the Dutch Golden Age. Bronze, though not as precious as gold or silver, signified wealth and status. As a token of membership in the ship captains' guild, the medal embodied the economic power of maritime trade in Amsterdam at that time. By looking closely at the materials, making, and context, we see how this small object connects to larger histories of labor, politics, and consumption, challenging distinctions between fine art and craft.