St. Lucasgilde van Amsterdam, gildepenning van Jacobus Steenbergen, schilder 1726

This small brass guild badge, made anonymously in Amsterdam in 1726, commemorates Jacobus Steenbergen's membership in the Guild of Saint Luke. The badge was likely cast in a mold, a relatively efficient means of production. The material, brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, would have been chosen for its durability and workability. The design features a coat of arms on one side, and Steenbergen's name on the other, surrounded by ornate embellishments. The amount of labor involved in creating a badge like this is significant, from the mining of the raw materials to the skilled craftsmanship required to carve the mold. These badges served as a form of identification and legitimation for artists and artisans within the guild system. They represented a commitment to quality and adherence to established standards. The badge offers a glimpse into the social and economic structures of the time, reminding us that even seemingly simple objects can carry complex cultural meanings.