Description:
Dutch delft vase decorated with a profile portrait of Prince William V (1748-1806) of Orange flanked by the initials "PW" and "D5" in a shaped scroll. William V was the son of Prince William IV of Orange (1711-1751) who married Princess Anne (1709-1759), the daughter of Prince George of Hanover (who become George II of England) and Princess Caroline of Anspach. William V married Princess Frederica Sophia Wilhelmina of Orange (1751-1820), 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. 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.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+56.089.3 |
