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

This earthenware stove plate shows the coat of arms of Prince Maurits of Orange-Nassau. It's a fascinating symbol of identity and power from a time of immense social and political upheaval in the Netherlands. Maurits, as a leader in the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule, embodied a rising sense of Dutch national identity. The coat of arms, flanked by regal lions, isn’t just a symbol of family lineage, it’s a statement of political authority and military strength. The plate's creation reflects a society grappling with religious and political divisions. The Dutch identity was forged in the crucible of war, and this artwork, while seemingly traditional in its heraldic imagery, speaks to the emergence of a new nation and its struggle for self-determination. It's a reminder that even the most formal symbols can be charged with revolutionary meaning.