Deksel van terrine, veelkleurig beschilderd met bloemboeketten 1760 - 1770

This is a polychrome painted terrine lid, made by Johan van Kerkhoff, a Dutch pottery painter active in the 18th century. During this time, the Netherlands was a global trade hub and Dutch society was structured by class, with the wealthy elite displaying their status through lavish goods like this terrine. The floral decoration is a nod to the 18th-century fascination with botany and the natural world, which was fueled by global exploration. This fascination was especially relevant to the Dutch, who maintained extensive trade routes with Asia, giving them access to commodities of great value. However, this object also speaks to a darker side of Dutch history. The wealth that enabled the production and consumption of luxury goods like this terrine was often derived from the exploitation of enslaved people and colonized lands. In this way, even seemingly innocuous objects can be seen as reflecting complex power dynamics and social inequalities. This terrine lid serves as a reminder of the emotional and material complexities of the past.