Waffles and butter on pewter plates with an apple, roll, jug, standing salt, and a...

Waffles were reserved for special celebrations, most notably during the yearly Carnival that preceded Lent. The apple is the ultimate symbol for original sin. The portrayed white roll resembles those depicted in Bruegel’s work and is again reflective of a treat. White rolls were costly, whole wheat or rye bread the standard fare. Beer which would have been contained in the jug and drunk from the beer glass was consumed by both children and adults. Usually made from fermented hops and malted barley, it was boiled in its preparation and thus safer to drink than water, which was often contaminated. Butter and salt were also luxury items. This was particularly true of salt, here indicated by its central positioning behind the waffles and its imposing cylindrical container.The pronounced creases of the fine linen tablecloth show it to be from a well-run household as it is freshly laundered.