Fragment van een ceremoniële kousenband, van lichtblauwe gewaterde blauwe ripszijde met het initiaal 'M' (prinses Marianne der Nederlanden) in zilverdraad geborduurd en afgezet met zilveren lovers in de vorm van een bloemetje before 1839

This ceremonial garter fragment, made from light blue watered silk, features the initial 'M' of Princess Marianne of the Netherlands, embroidered in silver thread. Notice how the cool, almost ethereal blue of the silk provides a serene backdrop, its delicate texture catching the light to create subtle, shifting patterns. The silver thread embroidery introduces a contrasting element, with the metallic sheen of the thread lending a sense of opulence. The floral embellishments frame the edges, creating a delicate, almost fragile border. The initial 'M' acts as a focal point, anchoring the composition with its calligraphic flourish. The arrangement of silver flowers, evenly spaced, adds to the sense of formality and order, reflecting the societal structure of the time. The garter itself is not merely an object of adornment but a symbol of status, encoding cultural and social values. The initial transforms the functional into the personal, where 'M' is the intersection of individual identity and aristocratic rank.