Bodebus van de stad Amsterdam 1548

This enameled silver plate, depicting the Amsterdam city coat-of-arms, was made around 1550 by Jan Cornelisz Coster. The precious materials alone indicate the importance of the object, and the civic pride it embodies. Notice the embossed border, teeming with figures in high relief, contrasting with the smoother surface of the central image. Silver is soft, demanding patient labor, as it's formed by hammering, engraving, and polishing. Consider how the process of enameling—fusing powdered glass to the metal—adds color, depth, and durability to the surface. The resulting object speaks to Amsterdam's wealth and power as a maritime center, its ships sailing the world's oceans. It acknowledges the skilled craftsmanship required to transform raw materials into objects of beauty and significance. By appreciating the labor and expertise involved, we can understand how this object embodies a rich history of artistic production and civic identity.