Voorgenomen huwelijk van Willem IV met prinses Anna van Engeland 1733

This silver medal was made by Georg Wilhelm Vestner to commemorate the planned marriage of Willem IV to Princess Anna of England. The shimmering silver surface is cool to the touch, a durable material produced through mining, smelting, and refining. Vestner would have used specialized tools to carve the detailed relief, shaping the metal to capture the likenesses of the royal couple and allegorical scenes of their union. The careful work and precious material speak to the social context of dynastic marriage in the 18th century – a high stakes game of political power and alliance building. In this context, the medal transcends its material value, becoming a symbol of status, diplomacy, and the skilled craftsmanship that underpinned elite culture.