Handelsetiket met een roos, het wapen van de stad Haarlem en een monogram c. 1681 - 1740

This anonymous trade label features a rose, the coat of arms of Haarlem, and a monogram. The rose, centrally positioned, is framed by a wreath of leaves, a symbol of victory and cyclical renewal, while above it, the Haarlem coat of arms displays a sword and stars, representing the city's strength and divine guidance. The rose, a timeless emblem of love and beauty, is deeply embedded in our collective consciousness. From ancient Greece, where it was associated with Aphrodite, to its prominent place in Christian iconography as a symbol of the Virgin Mary, the rose transcends cultures and eras. Its thorns remind us that beauty and pain are often intertwined, a notion that resonates deeply within the human psyche. This complex interplay of symbols invites us to contemplate the cyclical nature of history, where images and ideas are constantly reborn, carrying echoes of the past into the present.