Among the multiple symbolic elements of its iconography relating to the frailty of existence and death, it quotes an engraving by Jacques Callot, depicting a jester.

[2][1] The three elaborate hanaps in the upper left edge of the painting are faithful depictions of works by Stoskopff's brother-in-law Nicolas Riedinger, a master goldsmith in Strasbourg since 1609.

[3] The whole composition consciously repeats Stoskopff's slightly morbid Kitchen Still Life with a Calf's Head from 1640 (see below), which had already been a Memento mori of sorts.

[4] A poem in German written with chalk on a board hanging from the left side of the table reveals the meaning of the painting: Kunst, Reichtum, Macht und Kühnheit stirbetDie Welt und all ihr Tun verdirbetEin Ewiges kommt nach dieser ZeitIhr Toren, flieht die Eitelkeit.

[2][4] (Art, Wealth, Power and Audacity dieThe World and all its Doing perishEternity arrives once this Time is overFools that you are, run away from Vanity)