Handelsetiket van Jeronimus van Casele c. 1681 - 1740

Isaac Vincentsz. van der Vinne etched this label for Jeronimus van Casele, and the symbolism speaks volumes of its time. The crest, crowned with a regal coronet, is encircled by laurel leaves, emblems of victory and status, framing the letters A, H, C, and V in its center. We see similar monograms adorning family crests and royal seals throughout Europe, tools to instantly convey power and legitimacy. But consider how the laurel wreath, a symbol of triumph since ancient Greece, reappears in Roman imperial art and later in Neoclassical paintings. This continuous recycling of symbols reveals how deeply rooted certain visual languages are in our collective consciousness. The subconscious desire to associate oneself with grandeur is here made quite apparent. These symbols transcend mere decoration; they are potent visual tools, constantly repurposed to project authority and inspire awe.