Korendragers- en -stortersgilde van Amsterdam, gildepenning van Jan Garenstroom 1817

This bronze guild badge was made in Amsterdam in 1817 by an anonymous artist. It commemorates Jan Garenstroom's membership in the Korendragers- en -stortersgilde, the guild of grain carriers and unloaders. Guilds like this one played an important role in the social and economic life of Amsterdam during this period. They regulated trade, provided training and support for their members, and often served as important social and political networks. The image on the badge depicts a man carrying a bag of grain, representing the labor performed by members of the guild. The tools and garb are indicative of the manual labor performed by members of the lower classes. These badges were not just symbols of membership, they were also important status symbols, demonstrating the owner's connection to a powerful and respected organization. By studying objects like this, alongside archival records and other historical sources, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social structures that shaped the lives of ordinary people in the past.