The Secretary's Desk

The niche in the Tribunal (Vierschaar) accommodates the secretary’s seat and desk, from which the death sentence was ceremonially pronounced. To the left and right of the niche are a tree, a serpent and an apple. They stand for the fall of man, when the serpent persuaded Eve to taste the forbidden fruit. Prickly holly leaves fill the spandrels of the arches.
On the front of the town clerk’s seat, a seated woman grasps a ring in one hand and holds a finger to her lips with the other. She stands for discretion and fidelity. The head of a vigilant and faithful dog can be seen at her feet, while a goose takes flight behind her. On the back of the seat is a swag of prickly leaves and fruit, with above them a shell. On either side of the seat are weeping children, a skull and prickly leaves, symbolising the sorrow and mourning that accompany the death sentence.

Additional information:
The ring in the woman’s hand symbolises fidelity. The goose has a stone in its beak to stop it calling and alerting birds of prey to its presence. These symbols indicate that a town clerk must not give away confidential information and must serve the city loyally.