Ridderkruis van Orde van de Nederlandse Leeuw met blauw-oranje lint after 1815

This is the Knight's Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion, featuring a blue and orange ribbon, rendered anonymously. Note the prominent cross, an ancient symbol predating Christianity. We see it echoed in the layout of early city plans, dividing space, mirroring the human need to impose order on chaos. Here, the cross is adorned with a crown, symbolising authority and sovereignty, a motif that echoes through centuries of royal portraiture and heraldry, each iteration carrying the weight of cultural memory and subconscious associations. The lion at its center, a symbol of courage, is found throughout history, from ancient Mesopotamian reliefs to medieval European banners. Consider the subtle shift, the cultural alchemy that transforms the lion, once a symbol of raw power, into an emblem of national identity. What collective desires, what subconscious longings, are projected onto these symbols? They are powerful forces, engaging us on a deep, subconscious level. This piece is not merely an object of honor, but a complex interplay of symbols, each resonating with echoes of the past.