Door wijsheid, kracht, rede, bewaarde zij den vrede 1919

This earthenware plate, a creation of De Porceleijne Fles, bears witness to a pivotal moment in time. Dominating the plate is a crown atop the letters 'W' and 'R', symbols of Dutch royalty and, by extension, of national identity. The years 1914 and 1919, flanking a Dutch inscription, speak directly to the period of the First World War and its immediate aftermath. Consider how the crown, a timeless emblem of authority and divine right, appears across epochs. From ancient empires to medieval monarchies, this symbol recurs, each time imbued with the cultural nuances of its era. Yet, its essence remains: the embodiment of power. Here, its presence atop the royal initials served to reassure the nation of its leadership amidst the turmoil of war. But its power is not static. The crown’s meaning evolves, reflecting the shifting dynamics between rulers and the ruled. It is this cyclical journey of symbols that reveals the complex interplay between collective memory and the ever-changing present.