Haarddeksteen met het wapen van Karel V c. 1500 - 1558

This terracotta stove tile features the coat of arms of Charles V. Note the pillars of Hercules, flanking the shield, with a scroll swirling around them bearing the motto 'Plus Ultra'. This emblem, resonating with power and ambition, traces its origins back to ancient mythology, where the Pillars marked the edge of the known world. Charles V, however, adopted them to symbolize his vast empire, extending far beyond those ancient limits, across the Atlantic. These pillars are not merely geographical markers, but a psychological statement of transcending boundaries, echoing through time in various guises, from Renaissance triumphal arches to modern corporate logos. They remind us how symbols persist, subconsciously shaping our perceptions of power and limitlessness. Consider the emotional weight carried by such imagery. The desire to surpass the 'Ne Plus Ultra'—the original warning against venturing beyond—speaks to a deep-seated human drive to overcome the status quo, an ambition that fuels both progress and conflict. The stove tile is not merely a decorative object, but a powerful statement of intent that embodies an epoch.