Haarddeksteen met het wapen van Karel V 1588

Curator: Here we have an intriguing object: a fireplace decoration stone showcasing the coat of arms of Charles V, dating back to 1588. It is currently held in the Rijksmuseum's collection. This relief is made from wood. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by its formality, almost intimidating presence. The carving, the lions, it feels very…official, yet worn. Like a once vibrant declaration, now softened by time and wear. Curator: Yes, that’s characteristic of Renaissance heraldry. Coats of arms served as very potent symbols; they represented lineage, power, and allegiance, communicating messages about the owner's status. The choice of lions is certainly symbolic too: lions frequently represent courage, nobility, and royalty. We see them often throughout Europe. Editor: Thinking about this displayed above a fireplace gives me an interesting thought. Hearths are often about comfort and intimacy but juxtaposed with such a symbol of Imperial authority gives the space a sense of historical tension. Family time, but under the shadow of empire? Curator: That tension would be quite intentional! Heraldry, like most symbolism, served a mnemonic purpose: to reinforce a worldview, and provide an explicit link to a complex ideology. “PLVS OVLTRE” can be read on either side of the central shield, conveying a message that Emperor Charles V embraced exploration and exceeding expectations. Editor: This gives me a strong image of history as a kind of performance. To own, display, and reinforce symbols of authority within the space that is thought of as ‘home’. Were domestic spaces the first ‘billboards’ where social norms and expectation could be reinforced? Curator: Certainly, domestic objects of this period reflect deeply held cultural beliefs, family values, religious affiliations, and, of course, personal status and tastes. Editor: As someone who has neither allegiance nor nostalgia for empires and kings, I appreciate being able to observe their traces of power without feeling the need to pledge allegiance. Thank you for helping me put into perspective the visual and historic power embedded in objects like this. Curator: The pleasure is mine. It is in appreciating these complexities, that these images carry psychological and emotional weight.