Dutch silver button with Rider (ruitertje)
Dutch silver button with Rider (ruitertje)
Period: 17th-18th century
Flat round silver pictorial button with an engraved horseman.
Diameter: 23,5 mm
Weight: 3 g
Article code: 17-4205
Available: 0
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Status
- Archives
Period
- Post-Medieval
Category
- Artefacts
Material
- Silver
Country
- Nederland
Silver pictorial buttons
From the 17th century onwards wealthy merchants in the Netherlands wore silver circular or octagonal pictorial buttons to demonstrate their wealth. The selection of the engraved design showed the interest of the owner; rural, maritime, biblical or patriotic scenes. The horseman, known as 'ruitertje', based on the design of 17th century coins (Rijderschelling) was a very popular theme. They are most characteristic of the northern provinces of the Netherlands (Drenthe, Friesland).