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The Messenger-Box as a Distinctive of the Foot-Messenger
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 November 2011
Extract
The messenger-box is a symbol of office or badge, which is not only found in museums, but which is—at least in the Netherlands—still worn by messengers of several institutes in our day. It always bears a coat of arms and the question arises why it is called a box. The words ‘bus’, ‘Büchse’, ‘boîte’, ‘box’ are derived from the Greek word ‘pyxis’ and in former times all sorts of containers were indicated by this word. What was the reason that those badges which we know as messenger-boxes were called by that name? Have they ever been real containers? How strong must have been the tradition which has preserved the messenger-box under this very name in the shape of a badge up to the present!
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- Copyright © The Society of Antiquaries of London 1966
References
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