Nautilusbeker door de Zeeuwen aangeboden aan koning Willem III bij zijn 25-jarig regeringsjubileum c. 1874

Carl Wilhelm Bauer made this photograph of a nautilus cup presented to King William III of the Netherlands by the people of Zeeland. The cup was created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his reign, an event loaded with symbolism and cultural meaning. The image of the cup creates meaning through its visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. The photograph would have served as a record of the event, capturing the grandeur of the cup and, by extension, the monarchy it honored. Such commemorative objects reflect the social structures of their time. The cup and its photographic record reinforce social hierarchies and norms, affirming the power and authority of the monarchy. Understanding the cultural significance of this photograph requires research into the history of the Dutch monarchy, Zeeland's regional identity, and the social dynamics of the late 19th century Netherlands.