Kwispedoor met voorstelling van Willem IV 1747

This ceramic “Kwispedoor met voorstelling van Willem IV” by De Dissel is a piece that invites us to reflect on the intersection of personal hygiene and political identity. Kwispedoor is an archaic word for spittoon. In a time when personal habits were intertwined with social status, such an object, decorated with the image of Willem IV, speaks volumes. Think about the act of spitting, often stigmatized, elevated by its association with power and prestige. What does it mean to literally spit on the face of the monarchy? Consider the cultural norms that dictated who could afford such a luxury, and the statement it made about their position in society. The choice to adorn it with Willem IV suggests a complex relationship between loyalty, class, and personal expression, and poses questions about allegiance and the subtle ways in which power dynamics manifested in everyday life. How might the owner of this piece have felt, using it daily?