Willem V, prins van Oranje-Nassau 1785 - 1795

This is a small, undated silver pendant of Willem V, Prince of Orange-Nassau, crafted by an anonymous artist. The portrait, carved in profile, presents a study in contrasts through its delicate use of line and form. The subject is framed by an ornate oval border, topped with a bow, creating a self-contained world of aristocratic representation. The material itself, silver, adds to the work’s semiotic richness. Its preciousness speaks to the status of the subject, while the small scale suggests a personal, intimate object meant for private devotion or as a token of political allegiance. The lines are clean and decisive, and the texture of the silver is smooth, giving a tactile sense of quality and permanence. Consider how the formal structure—the frame, the profile, the medium—converges to create a powerful, if diminutive, symbol. It doesn’t simply represent Willem V; it encapsulates an entire network of social meanings and power relations within its elegant, compact form.