Broche van zilveren munten en carneool van Willem III c. 1930 - 1940

This brooch from the Rijksmuseum, made anonymously out of silver coins and carnelian, is a fascinating example of how value can be transformed. Think about it: money, something so functional, repurposed into adornment. The piece is built of coins featuring Willem III, arranged like petals around a faceted carnelian. I love how the hard, cold silver is softened by the floral arrangement, how each coin is meticulously placed, slightly overlapping, creating a sense of depth and texture. The carnelian in the center, with its warm, earthy tone, provides a striking contrast to the cool, metallic sheen of the coins. It's like the sun at the heart of a silvery flower. The decision to use currency as the primary material is so interesting. It makes you think about value, about worth, and about the ways in which we assign meaning to objects. It reminds me of Kurt Schwitters, and his collages made of trash. This brooch isn't trash, but it is repurposed, reconsidered. Ultimately, it's about seeing potential where others might see only the ordinary.