Gezicht op het beschadigde Dixon hotel, het hoofdkwartier van Robert Baden-Powell in Mafeking 1901

This stereograph by Underwood & Underwood captures the damaged Dixon Hotel in Mafeking, headquarters of Robert Baden-Powell. The tattered flag is the dominant symbol, heavy with cultural and historical meaning in the context of the Second Boer War. Flags have always served as potent emblems of power, belonging, and identity, from ancient Roman vexilla to medieval banners. They represent collective aspirations, but are also prone to damage, as seen here. This flag evokes vulnerability and resilience, its damage speaking volumes about the conflict. Consider how flags are handled in war photography—often raised triumphantly or, as here, bearing the marks of battle, acting as a silent witness. The flag's state reflects the psychological state of those under siege; the symbol transcends its material form, engaging with the viewers' subconscious, and stirring deep emotions about endurance and the cost of conflict. It is a motif that recurs, evolving through history, laden with shifting meanings.