Description:
English creamware scalloped-edged plate made for the Dutch market and decorated in Holland with the profile portraits of Prince William V of Orange (1748-1806) over the initials "PVOR" on the right and his wife, Princess Frederica Sophia Wilhelmina of Prussia (1751-1820) with ribbons in her hair over the initials "FSW" on the left, and a band of oranges around the rim edge. The profiles face a lighted candle, over a Dutch inscription, "ik brand ligt / voor de Pruis zijn nigt / En ook voor de Oranje spruit / Die het niet wil zien / die blaast het uit" ("I I burn a light / for the Prussian niece / and also for the Orange sprig / who will see it not / be blown out). Married in 1767, William V was the son of Prince William IV of Orange (1711-1751) and Princess Anne (1709-1759), the daughter of Prince George of Hanover (who become George II of England) and Princess Caroline of Anspach; and Princess Frederica Sophia Wilhelmina was the sister of Frederick William II of Prussia. Commemorative wares such as this example in the 'Orangist' palette of yellow, red, and blue refer to the House of Orange-Nassau; and reflect the on-going political conflict between the Orangists and those known as the Patriots, the anti-Orange wealthy and powerful merchant class or burgher-regents who controlled the town corporations. This decoration celebrates a temporary cessation in hostilities between the supporters of the Orange family in Holland and the anti-Orange faction, which had come to a head when the Princess of Orange had been insulted. The Prussian army occupied Amsterdam in 1787, the royal couple returned to Holland from exile, and an alliance was made between Prussia and England. This type of ware displaying members of the House of Orange, their coats of arms, or symbols representing the family, such as an orange tree, is part of an old tradition that dates back to Willliam the Silent (1533-1584) and his son Prince Maurice (1567-1625), whose devices and portraits were used to decorate Dutch delftware and tiles. Owning pieces such as these were a strong symbol of allegiance and loyalty to the House of Orange and the regime, and the production increased every time the position of Stadholder was challenged.
Subjects:
Pottery; Enamel and enameling; glaze (coating by location); polychrome Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+56.335 |
