MARK OF JAN VAN GIFFEN, GRONINGEN, CIRCA 1771, STRUCK WITH MAKER'S MARK ONLY AND WITH LATER PARIS AND DUTCH DUTY MARKS

The bodebus is a decoration as it was traditionally worn by couriers. Its history goes back to the middle ages, when a courier entrusted with important documents would carry these in a circular wooden box (bus) bearing the coat-of-arms of his master. This insignia could represent a government organ, a nobleman or - as is the case here - a guild. Whilst the box itself gradually went out of use, the insignia grew more elaborate and developed into a precious badge indicating the courier's special status: the bodebus gave access to certain privileges, such as free public transport, food and lodgings while the courier was travelling.
The current bodebus bears the inscription: Sye Ebbes, Tijdse Pieters en Harm Bol als Olderluie van de Nieuwe Taxsatie Gilde in Veendam 1771. Sye Ebbes was probably born in October 1719 in Veendam as the child of Sye Ebbes and Geesjen Johannes. Harm Bol was probably born in Veendam in April 1753. Both are mentioned as ouderluiden, heads of the guild of valuers, in Veendam in 1771. The courier carrying this bodebus must therefore have represented them.