Hof der dingen - The pewter plate of the province of West Flanders

You’ve probably already browsed our brochure or let our magnificent audioguide reveal the secrets hidden behind these grand doors. So, you might already know: the gorgeous palace you’re now visiting was once the setting for provincial council meetings — specifically in the Provincial Council Chamber on the first floor. 

For many years, the Provincial Palace was also the stage for all major ceremonial events in the province. That means plenty of royalty and other prominent figures have walked these very halls. Feeling honoured yet? We certainly are. 

That’s why an engraved tin plate from the Province of West Flanders could hardly be missing from this exposition. The plate features the historic façade of the Provincial Palace, along with the weapon crest of our province and the inscription Province of West Flanders – Provincial Palace Bruges. 

Produced in Leuven (Belgium), this decorative plate once adorned many West Flemish living rooms – whether mounted on the mantle or proudly displayed on a buffet cupboard. 

This object was donated to us by Carl Decaluwé , who has been the governor of West Flanders since 2012. 

For the curious (and charmingly nerdy) minds: what’s the difference between tin and pewter? Well, tin is a pure metal – silvery and soft. Pewter, on the other hand, is a metal alloy – tin mixed with a bit of copper or antimony to make it stronger and more durable. So while we often say tin plate, it’s usually pewter we’re talking about – a sturdier and slightly prettier version that’s perfect for decorative items like… well, this plate.