Two-Handled Covered Cup 1698 - 1720

This two-handled covered cup was crafted in the early 18th century by Cornelius Kierstede. Note the engraved coat of arms, a symbol deeply rooted in European feudal tradition, representing family lineage, status, and inherited virtues. This emblem is not merely decorative, but a potent assertion of identity and belonging. The visual language of heraldry, with its stylized animals and geometric partitions, evokes a sense of ancient lineage. These devices, inherited and adapted through generations, speak to our primal need to connect with the past and affirm our place within a continuum. Think of the eagle, often used in heraldry, echoing its earlier significance as a symbol of power in Roman imperial imagery. The cup itself, as a vessel, carries its own symbolic weight, reminiscent of ancient libation rituals and communal feasts, further enriching the object's layered meaning. It's a potent emblem of cultural memory, where past and present coalesce, reminding us of the stories and symbols that continue to shape our identities.