1663 In St Christopher

In 2010 this text stone could be refurbished. Remarkable are the two dolphins on either side. Purely intended as an ornamental element, dolphins were also popular elsewhere in Holland at the time.

An image of Christopher on a (matching) gable stone could not be found. There was, however, a kind of suspension construction. But whatever had once hung there had disappeared. That was a good opportunity to add a Christoffel of bending iron in the style of the Three Kings sign elsewhere in the street at no. 54.

Gable stone and suspension construction before the restoration.

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The sign shows St Christopher in his characteristic pose.
According to legend Christopher was a giant from Canaan who wanted to serve only the most powerful ruler. His first master was a king, but Christopher discovered that he was afraid of the devil. He concluded that the devil must therefore be even more powerful than the king and decided to enter the devil's service. Then Christopher noticed that the devil was afraid of Christ. He therefore left the devil and went in search of Christ to serve him.
On the road Christopher met a hermit and asked him how he could serve Christ. The hermit told him about Christ and knew a way for Christopher to serve Christ. He took him to a wild, dangerous river, in which many people had drowned when they had tried to cross it. With his exceptional height and strength Christopher was able to get the people across safely.
One night there was a child standing on the bank of the river. The child asked Christopher to cross him over safely. Christopher carried the child on his shoulders, but with every step he took, the child became heavier. After he had crossed the river with difficulty, the child told Christopher that he was Christ and that, by carrying him, he had felt the sins of the world on his shoulders. The name Christopher is derived from the Greek Christophorus, meaning Christ bearer.