Slag bij Quatre-Bras, ter ere van Willem Frederik George Lodewijk, erfprins der Nederlanden 1815

This medal was made by Adriaan Bemme to honor Willem Frederik George Lodewijk, the hereditary prince of the Netherlands. At just over 4 centimeters in diameter, and weighing nearly 75 grams, it’s made of cast lead, a relatively inexpensive material that allowed for the mass production of commemorative objects. The inherent properties of lead, its weight and dull grey color, imbue the medal with a somber tone. The casting process, while efficient, often resulted in imperfections and a loss of fine detail. On one side, a portrait of Prince Willem is captured, and on the other side is a symbolic depiction of the Battle of Quatre-Bras. The choice of lead and the method of casting, both speak to a broader context of industrial production and consumption in the 19th century. While commemorating a noble figure and a heroic battle, the medal’s material and manufacture also reflect the changing landscape of labor, politics, and economics of the time. It reminds us that even objects of commemoration are deeply embedded in the social and material conditions of their making.