Familiewapen van Antonius de Liedekercke 1640 - 1641

Adriaen Matham created this family crest for Antonius de Liedekercke using engraving, sometime in the 17th century. Engraving is an intaglio printmaking technique, where the design is cut into a metal plate, usually copper, using a tool called a burin. The engraver would have used the burin to carefully and precisely carve lines into the plate’s surface, creating grooves that would hold ink. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. Paper is laid on top, and both are run through a high-pressure printing press, transferring the ink from the grooves to the paper. This is a skilled, labor-intensive process, requiring years of training to master. The resulting print has a distinctive, sharp quality. The fine lines and details of the heraldic imagery – the boars, lions, and spears – stand out against the stark white background. The texture of the paper adds another dimension. By appreciating the craft of engraving, we can understand the social status this object conveys. It speaks to the value placed on skilled handwork and the ability to commission such specialized artistry.