Schaatsen c. 1660

These skates were crafted by Hendrik van der Star, who lived between 1619 and 1689. Consider the elegant curve, reminiscent of ancient scimitars and the swift birds that streak across the sky. The skate isn't merely an object of leisure; it's a symbol of transition, of gliding between worlds. In ancient mythologies, birds were often seen as psychopomps, guiding souls to the afterlife. Similarly, the skate allows us to traverse the frozen surface of a lake or canal, entering a liminal space between water and land, solid and fluid. Think of Hermes, the messenger of the gods, whose winged sandals allowed him to travel effortlessly between realms. The skate serves a similar purpose, connecting us to the primal desire for freedom and movement, evoking both exhilaration and a touch of melancholic longing. The skate reminds us that even in the most solid of landscapes, there is always a possibility for change, for fluidity, and for a fleeting dance with the unknown. Its shape echoes across time, a constant whisper of movement and transformation.