Huwelijk van Willem IV met prinses Anna van Engeland te Londen

About this artwork

Zilveren penning met gat erin. Voorzijde: borststuk man binnen omschrift. Keerzijde: borststuk vrouw binnen omschrift

Art Historical Context

Step into the glittering world of 18th-century royal diplomacy with *Huweling van Willem IV met prins Anna van Engeland teonden* (Marriage of Willem IV with Princess Anne of England in London), delicate silver medal struck by Dutch artist Martinus Holtzhey 1734. This tiny treasure, just 2.9 cm in diameter and weighing 8.83 grams, commemorates the union of William IV, Prince of Orange and Anne, daughter of King George II of Great Britain. Their wedding in London's St. James's Palace symbolized strengthening ties between the Dutch Republic and Britain amid Europe's shifting alliances. Holtzhey, a skilled engraver known for his precise medal work, employed the striking technique—pressing softened silver between engraved dies—to create finely detailed busts. The obverse features William IV's portrait encircled by an inscription, while the reverse shows Princess Anne in similar profile elegance. A distinctive hole at the top suggests it was worn as a pendant or button, blending art with personal adornment in the Baroque tradition of commemorative medallions. These intimate objects were cultural keepsakes for the elite, capturing dynastic pride in portable form. Today, it offers a tactile glimpse into Enlightenment-era pomp, where metalworking artistry immortalized love and politics.