In afwachting 1919

This earthenware plate, made in 1919 by De Porceleijne Fles, presents an array of symbols related to justice. At its heart, we see the scales of justice, emblems of equilibrium and fairness, suspended above a book marked ‘LEX’ for law, and bisected by a sword symbolizing authority. These symbols are not new, of course. The scales have roots stretching back to ancient Egypt, where they were used in the ritual weighing of the heart, determining one’s passage into the afterlife. This motif appears in countless contexts. The sword, an age-old symbol of power and justice, evolved from a tool of war to a representation of righteous authority. Consider how these symbols resurface in Renaissance art, adorning allegorical figures, evolving and adapting to the cultural currents of their time. It is the potent psychological resonance that makes these symbols enduring, engaging us on a subconscious level and stirring deep-seated feelings about morality and order. Thus, the symbols in this plate don't represent a linear progression, but a cyclical return, a continuous evolution, where ancient ideas resurface, transformed yet familiar, in each new age.