Servet van linnendamast met een wapen c. 1600 - 1625

This linen damask, likely woven by Passchier Lammertijn, showcases an elaborate coat of arms. A crowned lion and a unicorn flank the shield, symbols of courage and purity, heraldic devices rooted in the medieval bestiaries, where animals were allegories of human traits. Consider the unicorn, often depicted with a chain, a tamed beast, symbolizing Christ's sacrifice, or even female virtue. This motif echoes in tapestries and paintings across Europe, each iteration subtly shifting the balance between wildness and control. The emotional power of such symbols lies in their collective memory. These aren’t just images, but condensed narratives, sparking associations and emotional responses passed down through generations. We see this drive for symbols, the need to create collective meaning, reemerging again and again, adapted, reshaped, and always charged with the psychological weight of history.