The first three letters of Jesus were originally in Greek capitals: (ΙΗΣΟΥΣ): Iota, Eta and Sigma. This is also written as IHC. The capital letter S is originally written in Greek as Σ, whereas that H should actually have been an E.
People sought salvation with all kinds of saints and saints, but the ultimate protection was thought to be found with Christ, who is represented by the cross and the letters IHS, i.e. : Iesus Hominum Salvator = Jesus the saviour of mankind; or In Hoc Signo = In This Sign (you shall overcome).
IHS as a house name does not sound very nice, of course, which is why houses with that sign were referred to as "the sweet name" (of Jesus).
The IHS sign can also be found at Grote Gracht 20 and in the facade of Rechtstraat 11.
The building possibly dates from the 17th century. According to the register of property transfer 1819-1936 Jan Muijsenbeek took over the house from his namesake Herman in 1831, who had probably bought it in 1803 or 1804. See the French advertisement from the Journal de la Meuse of 2 December 1803.
The building was then occupied by the family J. Berents, a locksmith. In 1847 Hendrik Joseph Mesters bought the property and lived there until his death in 1886. In 1888 his relatives sold it to Johannes Tans, who after his death sold the building in 1906 to Steam beer brewery Ceres NV and later to St. Servatius brewery. They owned a whole series of premises in Maastricht. In 1972 the independent pub owner Christiaan Scharis bought the building. The building is still owned by his family.
This is the advertisement of the sale published in the Journal du Limbourg on 8 February 1846.
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