Adriaan de Beausele, heer van Brack, tweeendertigste intendant van de vaart van Brussel 1642

This copper token depicting Adriaan de Beausele was made by an anonymous artist. Tokens like this one served as a means of exchange, but they also tell us about the social and economic priorities of the time. On one side, we see a ship, symbolizing the importance of trade and maritime activity in the region. The reverse displays a coat of arms, a visual marker of status and power. Produced in a culture deeply influenced by merchantile interests, the token reflects the values of a society where commerce and social standing were closely intertwined. Analyzing such objects requires us to look beyond their monetary value and to investigate the wider context of their production and use. By consulting historical records, guild archives, and other period documents, we can gain valuable insights into the social structures and cultural values of the past. The meaning of this token, like any artwork, is contingent on the social and institutional context in which it was made and circulated.