Knoop van geelkoper met vier lelies c. 1590 - 1596

This brass button with four lilies was crafted by an anonymous artist. Although seemingly simple, the button is anything but. It provides a tangible connection to the past, offering insight into the everyday lives, identities, and values of people from another era. Buttons like these were not merely functional; they were deeply embedded in the socio-cultural fabric of their time. Four lilies could symbolize purity, innocence, and even royalty, reflecting aspirations, affiliations, or identities of the wearer. Imagine this button adorning the garment of someone from the working class, quietly subverting established conventions. Or perhaps it was worn by someone religious, expressing their devotion. This button serves as a gentle reminder of how objects, even small ones, are infused with cultural meaning. It is a reminder of how our identities are shaped and expressed through material culture, connecting us to histories both personal and collective.