Gezicht op een opstelling van chocoladeproducent Gebr. Stollwerck uit Keulen op de Wereldtentoonstelling van Antwerpen in 1894 1894

Charles Bernhoeft captured the Stollwerck chocolate exhibit at the 1894 Antwerp World Fair using photography. The structure itself is of interest here, crowned with imperial eagles, symbols of power and prestige reminiscent of ancient Roman standards, evoking authority and luxury. These eagles carry echoes of antiquity, of course. We see them reappear throughout history, adorning the crests of empires. Consider the Habsburg double-headed eagle, a symbol of dominion over vast territories. Here, applied to chocolate, the eagle becomes a potent symbol of commercial ambition. What we see, dear visitor, is a symbol reborn in a new context, yet retaining the ancient allure of power. The emotional pull is undeniable. The proud eagle, in its various incarnations, continues to inspire and awe. Its presence in this photograph serves not only to sell chocolate, but also to stir something deep within us, a primal recognition of authority and aspiration. The image reveals how symbols transcend time, shape our desires, and invite us to partake in a world of chocolate-coated dreams.