Lakenbereiders- en droogscheerdersgilde van Amsterdam, gildepenning van Dirck Rutgers 1688

This guild medal for Dirck Rutgers was made in Amsterdam in 1688 by an anonymous artist. The medal represents the guild of clothmakers and shearers, a powerful economic force in the Dutch Golden Age. The medal is a fascinating window into the social structures of the time. Guilds like this one played a crucial role in regulating trade, setting standards for quality, and protecting the interests of their members. The imagery on the medal, like the coat of arms, lions, and weaving tools, visually encodes the guild's identity and authority. In Amsterdam, a major center of commerce and textile production, guilds wielded significant influence over the city's economy and political landscape. To fully understand the medal's significance, we can turn to archival records, guild regulations, and economic histories of the period. By situating the artwork within its specific social and institutional context, we can gain a deeper appreciation for its meaning and function.