Teapot with portraits of William V and Wilhelmina of Prussia c. 1780 - 1790

This teapot, made anonymously, probably in the Netherlands, is decorated with portraits of William V and Wilhelmina of Prussia. Imagery of William V and his wife Wilhelmina was frequently used in political propaganda during the late 18th century. This teapot is one such example of political messaging. It was a turbulent time in Dutch politics, marked by a growing divide between the Orangists, who supported the Stadtholder William V, and the Patriots, who sought democratic reforms. The Patriots saw William V as an autocrat and were inspired by the American Revolution. This teapot appears to be a piece of Orangist propaganda, with the portraits of William and Wilhelmina suggesting stability and tradition. Historians often rely on pamphlets, newspapers, and other visual and material culture such as this teapot to fully understand this complex period. The survival of such objects into the present offer us unique insights into the social and political climate.