Saus boat with the arms of the Van de Parra family c. 1760 - 1775

This delicate sauce boat, adorned with the Van de Parra family crest, offers a glimpse into the lives of a family entrenched in the complex history of Dutch colonialism. Though the maker remains anonymous, the object speaks volumes about the intertwined narratives of identity, status, and global trade during the Dutch colonial era. The Van de Parra family, prominent in Suriname, held significant influence, reflected here in the crowned crest emblazoned on the porcelain. Porcelain itself signifies wealth and global reach; it came to the Netherlands through the Dutch East India Company. What does it mean to consume something so intimately—like food—out of a dish that signifies colonial enterprise? This object asks us to consider the emotional weight of these histories, prompting reflection on our own place within such legacies.