Dish with the coat of arms of Hendrik Peter Godfried Quack and Isabella Gertraud von Carnap c. 1790 - 1800

This elegant dish, crafted by E. Blancheron, features the conjoined coat of arms of Hendrik Peter Godfried Quack and Isabella Gertraud von Carnap. In the historical context of heraldry, coats of arms were integral to signifying lineage, status, and alliance. The fusion of two family crests on one object speaks volumes about marriage as a social and economic contract. The aesthetic choices—gilded laurel leaves, delicate porcelain—underscore a sense of wealth and refinement, reflecting the values of the elite. Yet, the piece invites reflection on the complex dance of power, gender, and social expectations embedded in such unions. The dish becomes a symbol of personal narratives intertwined with broader societal structures, echoing how individuals navigate identity within their own time.