Willem V, prins van Oranje-Nassau 1787 - 1795

This small portrait of Willem V, Prince of Orange-Nassau, was made anonymously out of silver, using techniques of casting and chasing. These are both highly skilled processes. First, molten silver would be poured into a mold, allowed to cool, and then extracted. The real artistry comes with the chasing, a process of carefully indenting the surface to create a highly detailed image. Look closely, and you can see the amount of work involved. Notice the crispness of the prince's profile, his elaborate costume, and the border of tiny silver beads. The density of silver allows for this level of detail. This object’s small size suggests it was meant to be worn as a personal emblem, a subtle but powerful statement of allegiance. We often think of "art" as distinct from "craft," but this piece reminds us that such distinctions are modern inventions. The craftsmanship in this portrait elevates it beyond mere decoration. It's a tangible expression of political identity, skillfully rendered in precious material.