Vaas met twee coupletten van het volkslied Wien Neerlandsch bloed 1856

This is a glass vase, its creator unknown, etched with two verses from "Wien Neerlandsch bloed," the Dutch national anthem. While seemingly a simple vessel, this vase is a potent symbol of 19th-century Dutch nationalism. The anthem, initially penned during the Batavian Revolution, evolved into a rallying cry during the period of Dutch independence, solidifying its place in the nation’s cultural identity. The choice to adorn a functional object with verses from the anthem speaks to the pervasive nature of nationalist sentiment in everyday life. It reveals the desire to embed patriotism within the domestic sphere. As historians, we explore archives, scrutinize political pamphlets, and analyze popular culture to understand the layers of meaning embedded in seemingly simple objects such as this. We see how a vase transcends its function, becoming a cultural artifact that reflects the hopes, anxieties, and ideals of a nation in formation.