Cup with handle with the arms of the De Heere van Holy family c. 1760 - 1765

This handle cup features the arms of the De Heere van Holy family. The coat of arms is rich with symbols, including a shield divided into quarters, topped with a helmet and crest, each element laden with meaning in heraldic tradition. Consider the sword: a symbol of justice and military honor, it stretches back to ancient Rome, seen in the hands of emperors and gods alike. Its presence here reminds us of the enduring human fascination with power and protection. Similarly, the colors—the gold of nobility, the red of courage—evoke a complex web of associations. These motifs echo through time, appearing in medieval tapestries and Renaissance paintings, each time subtly altered by the cultural context, yet still resonant with their original intent. The persistence of these symbols speaks to our collective memory, our shared human experience. In this cup, these symbols invite us to reflect on how power, honor, and identity are continuously reshaped and reinterpreted.