Kokertje met één gat in de wand en versierd met drie ringbanden c. 1590 - 1596

This 'Kokertje', or small case, with ringed bands and a singular hole, stands as a testament to the potent symbolism latent in even the most unassuming of objects. The hole, a void, a singular focal point, echoes the symbolism of eyes found in ancient Cycladic figurines, or the oculus in Roman temples. This invites us to meditate on the act of seeing, but also of being seen, watched, and the psychological dance between observer and observed. The ringed bands constricting the form might also evoke feelings of constraint, perhaps of societal norms or personal limitations. We see the rings as memory, a tangible reminder of life’s cyclical nature, birth, death, and rebirth. Consider how such forms recur in reliquaries, ceremonial staffs, and even the structure of the cosmos itself. A seemingly simple object becomes an allegory of the human condition, echoing through time, reminding us of our shared history and subconscious understanding.