Kommetje met ijzeren resten c. 1590 - 1596

This is an anonymous, handleless bowl, likely crafted from bronze, now bearing traces of iron remnants. Though its maker and precise date remain unknown, its presence in the Rijksmuseum speaks to the value we place on understanding everyday life in the Netherlands across time. Such a vessel invites reflection on the material conditions of its use. Was it employed in a domestic setting or perhaps in a more public or commercial sphere? The iron remnants suggest its potential use with tools or in processes involving iron, like cooking. To truly understand its place, we turn to period inventories, trade records, and archaeological findings. Such sources can illuminate the social and economic practices that gave meaning to this humble object. This bowl, therefore, isn't just an artifact; it’s a portal into the past, reflecting the daily lives and material culture of those who came before us.