Dish with the coat of arms of Hendrik Peter Godfried Quack and Isabella Gertraud von Carnap c. 1790 - 1800

This is a dish with the coat of arms of Hendrik Peter Godfried Quack and Isabella Gertraud von Carnap, made by E. Blancheron. At first glance, the delicate symmetry of this piece draws the eye. A white, circular base is accented with golden leaf ornamentation around the edge. In the centre lies a coat of arms, itself composed of symmetrical elements that include a shield, a swan, a star, and flanking figures. The limited colour palette is structured to produce a classical feel, echoing heraldic emblems while retaining a decorative function. Within a semiotic framework, the dish becomes a vessel laden with encoded information, from symbols of heraldry to the social status of its owners. Each carefully considered element acts as a signifier, reflecting not just aesthetic preferences but also broader societal values around family, power, and identity. By arranging form and function, the piece exists within a network of codes that invite interpretation.