Huwelijk van Willem III, koning der Nederlanden en Emma, prinses van Waldeck-Pyrmont te Arolsen 1879

This silver medal commemorates the wedding of Willem III, King of the Netherlands, and Emma, Princess of Waldeck-Pyrmont, in Arolsen on January 7, 1879. Created by Joh. F. van der Horst & Co, this small object speaks volumes about 19th-century European royalty and the strategic importance of marriage. The medal depicts the couple in profile, flanking a classical figure. On the reverse, a crowned coat of arms sits above the inscription. These are visual codes, cultural references and historical associations that emphasize the power and prestige of the monarchy. In a time of shifting social and political landscapes, royal marriages were more than personal unions; they were symbolic gestures of stability and continuity. Medals like these were tools of image-making and propaganda, used to shape public perception and reinforce traditional hierarchies. Understanding this medal requires delving into the archives, examining the social and political climate of the Netherlands in the late 19th century. It reminds us that art, even in miniature form, is deeply embedded in its social and institutional context.