Breinaaldenschede ter herinnering aan de Slag bij de Doggersbank c. 1781

This is a silver needle case, made by Isaac Lingenaar, likely in the late 18th century. Its form tapers gracefully from a cylindrical top to a narrow point, and it is adorned with relief images commemorating the Battle of Dogger Bank. The needle case functions as a three-dimensional semiotic object. The relief work includes a complex visual language involving naval and patriotic emblems. These images aren’t merely decorative; they create a structured narrative space. Each band of imagery, framed by the cylindrical form, operates as a chapter in a story that elevates a naval battle to a cultural artifact. Lingenaar’s work plays with the power of objects to embody and transmit cultural values. The craftsmanship transforms the simple utilitarian object into a powerful symbolic medium. Its silver sheen reflects the high stakes of naval conflict and its significance to Dutch identity.