Dish with an unidentified coat of arms c. 1645 - 1660

Editor: So, this ceramic dish, probably made between 1645 and 1660 by Willem Jansz. Verstraeten, features an unidentified coat of arms. The blue and white is lovely but also…serious? What catches your eye when you look at it? Curator: The weight of history, quite literally, doesn't it? Each flourish in the design, each feathered wing on that bird—it whispers tales of lineage and legacy. The artist clearly relished detail, using those confident blue strokes to suggest wealth, power... maybe even a touch of playful arrogance? I wonder, who dined from this plate, and what dramas unfolded around their table? Editor: Arrogance? Interesting. I hadn’t thought of that. It felt more… decorative. Like fancy wallpaper. Was this a common thing back then, having your crest plastered on everyday objects? Curator: Common among the wealthy, absolutely! Think of it as the 17th-century version of monogramming everything. But consider, too, the fragility of earthenware, juxtaposed with this enduring symbol of family pride. It’s a delicious tension. Almost a challenge to fate. A reminder that even the grandest houses crumble, but sometimes, just sometimes, their dishes survive. Does knowing this change how the piece makes you feel? Editor: Definitely. It makes me think about the stories objects can hold, even after so much time. Like, who gets to decide which stories are worth remembering? Curator: Exactly! Art, at its heart, is a conversation across centuries. This humble dish, now slightly cracked around the edges, prompts us to eavesdrop. And perhaps even add our own voice to the mix. What a legacy for Verstraeten! Editor: It really does make you wonder, doesn't it? Thanks, I'll never look at a fancy dish the same way again.