Bread & Roses is cheating

For the virtual expo Bread & Roses is cheating we invited friendly heritage institutions to share special pieces from their own collections that, in their opinion, resonate with the meaning of the legendary slogan behind the magazine's name:We want bread and we want roses too'.

Since the beginning of the twentieth century, that powerful slogan has symbolized social justice worldwide. Bread refers to the right to fair wages and economic security. Roses represent everything that makes life more than mere survival: culture, nature, education, beauty, freedom, and equality. Together, they express a desire for a dignified and just existence. An aspiration that is just as relevant today as it was then.

Bread & Roses is cheating brings together a multifaceted selection of objects, images, documents, and stories thanks to the enthusiastic cooperation of numerous heritage institutions.

Ghent Archives sent us some identification marks used by foundlings. Such identification marks were left with the child by the person who abandoned it. If the mother wanted to retrieve her child later, she could use this object to prove that it was her child.

Identification marks of foundlings - Ghent Archives

Identification mark of the foundling Petronilla Trompet.Ghent Archives - IC_M-1688)

Petronilla Trompet was found on June 28, 1842, and registered in the register of foundlings under number 4460. One identifying mark has been preserved: a small metal trumpet with a piece of ecru paper attached, bearing the child's name.

Identification mark of the foundling Honorina Ymbar.Ghent Archives - IC_M-1689)

Honorina Ymbar was found on January 2, 1859, and registered in the foundling registers under number 6661. The identifying mark of this child is a gold ring attached to a piece of ecru paper with thread. In addition, samples of the child's clothing were also preserved.

Identification mark of the foundling Laurentius Wert.Ghent Archives - IC_M-1782)

Laurentius Wert was found on March 3, 1862, and registered in the foundling registers under number 7027. His distinguishing mark was a playing card in two parts. One half was placed with the foundling, and the other half was kept by the mother. The mother of this foundling retrieved him when he was 12 years old.

Identification mark of the foundling Constantinus Zarof.Ghent Archives - IC_M-1787)

Constantinus Zarof was found on September 18, 1861, and registered in the foundling registers under number 6957. His identifying mark was a religious image in two parts. One half was placed with the foundling, and the other half was kept by the mother. This child was also later retrieved by his mother.

Identification mark of the foundling Florimondus Enor. ( )Ghent Archives - IC_M-2328)

Florimondus Enor was found on November 14, 1858, and registered in the foundling registers under number 6642. An identifying mark has been preserved: a scapular with a red ribbon. The devotion to the scapular originated in the thirteenth century. According to tradition, Mary gave the scapular to several great devotees of Mary, including the Carmelite Simon Stock. To this saint, Mary promises that whoever wears it devoutly will not enter hell. To Pope John XXII, She promises that anyone who wears it will, moreover, be saved from purgatory on the first Saturday after his death. The scapular signifies a deep connection with Mary. It is a sign of devotion to her. And it offers protection on Mary's part.

Take a closer look at the images

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Archief Gent manages, preserves, and provides access to analog and digital archives, heritage objects, and private collections of or about the City of Ghent.

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