Bord van crême-kleurig steengoed met voorstelling van het huwelijk 1800 - 1825

This cream-colored stoneware plate by Piccardt depicts a wedding ceremony. Note the central figures with their hands clasped in a pledge, a ritual formalized by the figure in clerical robes. Above them, we see the crucified Christ. The joining of hands is a symbolic gesture found throughout history, from ancient Roman betrothals depicted on sarcophagi to medieval images of knights pledging fealty. Here, the motif suggests not only legal and social agreement, but also spiritual sanction, signified by the crucifix. The motif of the hand clasp resurfaces time and again, each time imbued with the emotional weight of the moment. It becomes a conduit for expressing an intense desire for connection and commitment, engaging us on a deep, subconscious level. The cyclical progression of this symbol, as it resurfaces in different historical contexts, illustrates our enduring need for social bonds and spiritual meaning.