Willem V, prins van Oranje-Nassau 1787 - 1795

This silver pendant of Willem V, Prince of Orange-Nassau, was made by an anonymous artist, and its small size suggests it was intended to be worn or carried as a personal emblem. Consider the historical context: Willem V lived during a tumultuous period marked by rising democratic ideals and revolution. The image attempts to capture the Prince's status. Yet, can we look beyond the conventional representation of power? The very act of miniaturizing his image transforms it into something intimate, almost vulnerable. Think about who would have worn such an object. What did it mean for them to align themselves with the Prince? Perhaps it was a symbol of loyalty, or maybe it was a silent act of defiance in a changing world. The pendant invites us to consider the emotional weight of allegiance and the personal dimensions of political identity.