Prijspen met het wapen van Amsterdam en 1758 1757

This silver prize pen, made in 1758 by Hendrik Hop, is adorned with the coat of arms of Amsterdam. Note how the three Saint Andrew's crosses, rendered in gold, are placed centrally. These crosses, derived from Christian iconography, are not unique to Amsterdam; they echo symbols of protection and allegiance found across Europe and beyond. Consider the cross—an ancient symbol that predates Christianity, representing intersections and choices. Its adoption by Amsterdam reflects a deeper, perhaps unconscious, desire for divine favor in civic endeavors. The repetition of the triple cross intensifies its symbolic weight, suggesting a city under profound spiritual guard. The feathered form itself carries symbolic weight. From ancient Egyptian deities to Renaissance allegories of fame and truth, feathers have long been associated with ascension, communication, and the ethereal realm. In this pen, the feather, combined with the civic emblem, elevates the act of writing to a practice imbued with official power. The interplay of these symbols reminds us of the layered, cyclical nature of history.