Haarddeksteen met het wapen van Prins Maurits van Oranje Nassau 1567 - 1625

This is a fireplace covering stone depicting the coat of arms of Prince Maurits of Orange Nassau. It was anonymously crafted, and its date of creation is unknown. The stone's form and composition are immediately striking; its semi-circular shape evokes a sense of completion and enclosure. The relief carving shows a symmetrical design with the coat of arms at the center, flanked by lions. The materiality of the stone, with its rough texture and earthen tone, conveys a sense of antiquity, and its form is robust, imparting a feeling of permanence and authority. The design’s heraldic symbolism invites semiotic interpretation. The lions, crown, and grid patterned shield are signs. The symbols may reflect the cultural codes and political systems that informed the artwork’s creation, reflecting the power of the House of Orange-Nassau. The craftsmanship, materials, and design intersect with a broader socio-political discourse, inviting us to consider the role of such emblems in constructing and communicating authority.