Handelsetiket van een lakenhandel 1702 - 1759

This is a trade label for a cloth merchant, made by Jan Wandelaar, sometime before 1759. It’s a complex image, steeped in the visual language of its time, meant to convey the importance and virtue of trade. The label presents a tableau of allegorical figures; there is Justice, with her scales and sword; Mercury, god of commerce, pulling back a curtain; and Fama, who trumpets the company's success. The label also references Amsterdam, with its coat of arms at the bottom right corner, a reminder of the city's own importance to the history of global trade. Interestingly, at the base, we see figures that appear to be a Turkish man and woman. This inclusion speaks volumes about the international nature of the cloth trade, and perhaps even about the company's specific dealings. It's a nod to the places and people connected to the Dutch economy, a visual reminder of the scope and reach of Dutch commercial power. It highlights the intricate relationships between commerce, culture, and identity in the 18th century.