Collier van Nederlandse stuivers met Willem III c. 1940 - 1950

Editor: This is "Collier van Nederlandse stuivers met Willem III," an anonymous piece from around 1940-1950, held here at the Rijksmuseum. It's crafted from metal and categorized as an assemblage - it appears to be a necklace made of old Dutch coins. The detail is striking, but what's more interesting is repurposing money as adornment. What does this say to you, examining it from your curatorial point of view? Curator: Well, looking at this "Collier," I'm immediately drawn to the transformation of currency, an object inherently tied to economic systems and power structures, into a piece of decorative art. Consider the process: Coins, once tools of exchange, have been physically altered, drilled, and linked. Editor: It looks like quite a laborious process to link each individual piece. Curator: Precisely. The value isn't simply monetary, it is embedded in that physical labour. How does this elevation into 'art' affect our perception of labor and its intrinsic worth? Consider also, who would create and consume this piece? Was it a form of quiet resistance during a time of economic hardship, reclaiming value? Or was it a nostalgic nod to a past era, the Dutch coins acting as signifiers of history and identity repurposed for fashionable consumption? The making and use prompt some good social questions. Editor: So it really encourages a re-evaluation of the material's original purpose, not just aesthetic value. Curator: Exactly. This "Collier" bridges craft and high art, forcing us to consider the economic and social conditions surrounding its creation and reception. What constitutes value, and how can materials challenge the accepted norms. Editor: I hadn't considered the undercurrent of those economic and labour concerns until now. Thank you! Curator: And thank you. I'm leaving with a greater understanding of value myself.