Geboorte van prins Willem, zoon van Willem IV en Anna van Hannover 1748

Curator: This intriguing golden pendant commemorates the birth of Prince William, son of Willem IV and Anna of Hannover, back in 1748. It’s attributed to Martin Holtzhey. Editor: My first thought? Opulence! Look at the way that gold reflects light. The craftsman was clearly very skilled. I’m immediately wondering, where was this piece worn? And by whom? Curator: Likely someone within court circles. Pieces like this served as visual reminders of power and dynastic succession. The iconography served a purpose: legitimizing the ruler's family through representation. Editor: Right, but the thing itself - the material! Gold was more than symbolic, it had tangible value and power. Consider the labor that went into both procuring the raw materials and the painstaking process of crafting something so detailed at such a small scale. How did they control this process so precisely? Curator: That’s a key point. Craft guilds held significant influence and controlled artistic production during that era, which undoubtedly ensured quality and craftsmanship but simultaneously acted as social and economic structures that had bearing on production methods, dictating who could work, learn, and profit from such artistry. The gold is meticulously engraved with both portraiture and an allegorical scene. Editor: On one side, it looks like we see William and Anna, and the reverse side features, is that an angel hovering? Curator: Exactly! That would likely be an angel overseeing or blessing the birth of the new prince. These visual tropes had a powerful impact on public perception and played a significant part in shaping political ideologies. Editor: I keep thinking about that loop at the top though, so small...it would've had to go on something extremely delicate. This makes me wonder if, past just legitimizing royal succession, jewelry like this might be considered among sumptuary regulations and laws of this time - to reinforce status symbols as visible through labor power and luxurious material Curator: Fascinating perspectives, looking at this piece of decorative baroque art from both a socio-political point of view and in consideration of the object as a constructed reality really informs on our perceptions of value, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely, and how the object existed within 18th century society to project and retain social, economic and political authority!