Haarddeksteen met het wapen van Prins Maurits van Oranje Nassau 1611

This is a sandstone chimney-piece displaying the coat of arms of Prince Maurits of Orange Nassau, made by an anonymous artist. Prince Maurits held immense power in the Dutch Republic during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The chimney-piece portrays the heraldic symbol of Prince Maurits, flanked by two lions and topped with a crown, embodying the era's complex relationship between power, identity, and representation. Chimney-pieces like this were not merely decorative; they visually reinforced social hierarchies. The display of a coat of arms in one’s home was a statement of allegiance, wealth, and status. While the artist remains unknown, their craftsmanship speaks to the artistic conventions used to convey authority. Consider how this object, intended for a domestic space, served as a constant reminder of political power, shaping the daily lives and perceptions of those within its presence. The choice of sandstone underscores the durability and timelessness associated with the Prince's legacy, even as the piece shows the marks of time.