Broche ter gelegenheid van het vijfentwintigjarig regeringsjubileum van Koningin Wilhelmina 1923

This small commemorative brooch was made in 1923 to celebrate Queen Wilhelmina’s 25th year on the throne, and it’s got this crazy, gorgeous energy. The design really pops with its jewel-toned enamels - rich burgundy for the velvety petals, a splash of royal blue at the heart. The anonymous maker of this brooch employed enamel in such a way that it’s almost like painting with light. Looking closely, you see this tiny, textured background, almost like a textile, catching light and shadow. The flower at the brooch's center has these abstract white markings that could be a painterly flourish, a moment of pure, joyful process. I wonder if Sonia Delaunay might have been a fan? It reminds us that art can be both a celebration of power and a deeply personal expression, all wrapped up in one tiny, shiny package.