Dish, Plate, Commemorative Marker?

When looking at the history of an object, meanings and functions change over time. Objects often have multiple ‘lives’ and their story continues long after the moment of their creation.

Upon arriving at Cape Inscription, Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog left behind a marker as evidence of his discovery. In 1697 this object was retrieved by de Vlamingh.

The Hartog dish

When retrieved by de Vlamingh’s expedition, Hartog’s marker was described as schotel. This is the term used by the Rijksmuseum to classify it today. At 36.5cm in diameter (once flattened) referring to it as a ‘dish’ could reflect its original function as a large serving dish. The profile of a dish would explain the single crease line apparent in the flattened dish.

The Hartog plate

The term plate has traditionally been used by Western Australians to describe the object Hartog left behind. It may have been used to serve and cut food on. It was referred to as a ‘commemorative plate’ in the manifest of the vessel that shipped it back to the Netherlands.

The term plate may also reflect its modified form. Once flattened, inscribed and nailed to a post, the function and meaning of the object shifts as it becomes a commemorative plate.

Whatever it was originally called it is a relic and proof of the first documented European contact with Western Australia.