Dish with the coat of arms of Hendrik Peter Godfried Quack and Isabella Gertraud von Carnap c. 1790s

This elegant dish, made by E. Blancheron, features the coat of arms of Hendrik Peter Godfried Quack and Isabella Gertraud von Carnap. The presence of a coat of arms immediately situates this object within a specific social class. These symbols were visual declarations of lineage, power, and status, all tied to patriarchal inheritance. The dish not only represents a union of two families but also reflects the societal expectations placed on marriage during that time. Marriage in this class was often less about romantic love and more about consolidating wealth and ensuring the continuation of family lines. Consider the artistry involved in creating such a piece. The delicate brushwork, the precision required to render the heraldic symbols—all point to the skilled labor that went into producing this object of status. This dish then is not merely decorative; it is a complex representation of identity, class, and the intricate dance between personal lives and public personas.