Haarddeksteen met een dubbelkoppige adelaar en twee zuilen c. 1500 - 1558

This Haarddeksteen, or hearth tile, features a double-headed eagle flanked by two columns, crafted by an anonymous artist. These are symbols laden with historical and cultural weight. The double-headed eagle, a motif of power and dominion, echoes across time from ancient Near Eastern emblems to its adoption by various empires, most notably the Holy Roman Empire. Meanwhile, the columns evoke classical architecture, symbols of strength and stability, reminiscent of ancient Greek and Roman temples. Consider these visual echoes and their appearance in various contexts through history. The use of the double-headed eagle in particular evokes complex emotions, particularly for those who lived through periods of imperial rule. The way the artist connects the double-headed eagle with the columns invites viewers to reflect on themes of power, authority, and the burdens of history. These symbols, charged with historical and cultural significance, evoke echoes of power, empire, and architectural grandeur. They remind us that the past is never truly gone.