Geuzenpenning met napje en kalebasjes

anonymous, 1800 - 1900

When in 1566 several hundred Dutch noblemen petitioned the Spanish authorities for greater tolerance in matters of religion, they were ridiculed as 'gueux': beggars. In response, they took the French name 'gueux' (vulgarised to 'geuzen') as a symbol of honour and wore a beggar's badge on their clothes. These were tokens that town authorities gave to beggars to show that they were legally allowed to beg. The crescent shape of the medals and the text around the edge 'Better Turkish than Papish' had several connotations. Turks had a reputation for cruelty; but they were also known for their tolerance to other religions. Moreover, the Islamic Turkish Empire was at war with Catholic Spain. Apart from badges, the Geuzen also carried small wooden begging bowls and flasks, reminiscent of the pilgrims who lived by begging.

  • Artwork typecopy, draagpenning
  • Object numberNG-71-B-1
  • Dimensionsheight 5 cm x width 2.5 cm

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Geuzenpenning met napje en kalebasjes

  • Object type

  • Object number

    NG-71-B-1

  • Description

    Geuzenpenning met napje en kalebasjes, zilveren ovale penning met draagoog en draagring. Op één zijde het portret van een man (Filips II), profiel naar links, op de andere zijde twee ineengeslagen handen waaromheen een dubbele bedeltas. Aan weerszijden een draagoog met kalebasje aan acht-vormige schakel, onder een draagoog met bedelnapje aan dito schakel. Voorzijde randschrift: EN TOVT FIDELLES AV ROY. Keerzijde opschrift: IVSQVES A PORTER LA BESACE.

Creation

  • Creation

    anonymous, Low Countries

  • Dating

    1800 - 1900

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Material and technique

  • Dimensions

    height 5 cm x width 2.5 cm

This work is about

  • Person

  • Subject

  • Place

  • Period

    1550 - 1600

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    Gift of J.A.H., Baron van Zuylen van Nijevelt, Doorn

  • Acquisition

    gift 1941-05

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    Collection Lamoraal I van Gavere “Graaf van Egmond” (1522 - 1568), Zottegem near Brussels, 1566;{Note RMA.} by descent through the Van Egmond, Van Capelle, Delafialle, Bleiswijk and Van Zuylen van Nijevelt families to Joan Adriaan Hugo baron van Zuylen van Nijevelt (1854-1940), Doorn; donated by his heirs to the museum through the mediation of his brother in law Jonkheer Mr L.Ch. van Loon, 1941

  • Remarks

    Please note that this provenance was formulated with a special focus on provenance research for the years 1933-45 and could therefore be incomplete. There may be more (mostly earlier) provenance information known in the museum. In case this item has an uncertain or incomplete provenance for the years 1933-45, the Rijksmuseum welcomes information and assistance in the investigation and clarification of the provenance of all works during that era.

Documentation

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