Herstel van Willem V, prins van Oranje-Nassau, als stadhouder, draagteken van de buurt van het Nieuw Noordeinde 1787

This silver pendant, commemorating the restoration of Willem V as stadtholder, was made in 1787 by an unknown maker. Silver lends itself to intricate detail, seen here in the portrait of Willem V and the inscription on the reverse. But more than its aesthetic appeal, silver was a material of power, a mark of status in the 18th century. The pendant was likely produced using techniques such as casting, chasing, and engraving. The maker would have needed a deep understanding of metallurgy, and the ability to manipulate the material precisely. Considered within its historical context, the pendant speaks volumes. It's a symbol of political allegiance, a tangible representation of power dynamics. The relatively small scale suggests it was made to be worn, displaying the wearer's loyalty to Willem V. Looking at the pendant as a product of craft, deeply embedded in histories of creative practices and aesthetics, allows us to challenge the traditional boundaries between art, craft and social context.