Oval dish with the arms of the Van der Parra family c. 1750 - 1774

This oval dish with the arms of the Van der Parra family was anonymously made, its date unknown. Such dinnerware offers insight into the cultural values of the elite. Family crests were important symbols of lineage and social status, signifying heritage and belonging to a particular class. The fact that the crest is prominently displayed suggests the importance of family identity and pride within the Dutch upper class. The production of these porcelains was closely tied to international trade. The Dutch East India Company played a significant role in bringing porcelain from China to Europe. European elites acquired such wares to display their taste, wealth, and global awareness. Institutional archives, trade records, and historical accounts of the Dutch East India Company would provide more insight into the complex historical context of such dinnerware and the ways in which social status and global trade intersect.