A 19th C Dutch ceremonial fire-fighters staff from the city of Arkel.

A decorated ceremonial Dutch firefighters-staff. Length 145 cm. On one side the coat of arms of the city of Arkel. On the other "Brand" (Fire), "Weer" (Fighters) and "Bruine" (Brown). In the 19th C the cities and villages organised their (mostly voluntary) firefighters brigades and issued them a staff to show rank, seniority and area of activity. This item dates back to the last part of the nineteenth century.