Slag bij Waterloo, ter ere van Willem Frederik George Lodewijk, erfprins der Nederlanden 1815

This bronze medal was created to honor Willem Frederik George Lodewijk, the Prince of Orange, for the Battle of Waterloo. It would have been made by a trained medalist, someone who specialized in creating these small, powerful objects. The medal’s small size belies its historical significance. Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, would have been chosen for its durability and ability to capture fine detail. The process likely involved striking the design onto a blank disc of metal using hardened steel dies. The pressure exerted would have transferred the intricate design – the prince on horseback, and the inscription commemorating the battle. The use of bronze and the techniques employed reflect a society valuing permanence and remembrance. Medals like these served as symbols of national pride and political power. Appreciating this medal means understanding its material and the skill required to produce it, moving beyond traditional distinctions between art and craft to see it as a potent cultural artifact.