Vijfde verjaardag van prinses Carolina

About this artwork

diameter 2,6 cm x gewicht 4,42 gr

Art Historical Context

**Vijfde verjaardag van prinses Carolina (Fifth Birthday of Princess Carolina)** *Martinus Holtzhey, 1748* *Struck metal (medal), diameter 2.6 cm, weight 4.42 g* This delicate struck medal, crafted by the renowned Dutch engraver Martinus Holtzhey in 1748, celebrates the fifth of Princess Carolina of Orangeassau (1743–1787), daughter of William IV, Prince of Orange, and, Princess Royal. Measuring just 2.6 cm in diameter and weighing a mere 4.42 grams, it exemplifies the exquisite miniaturism of 18th-century European commemorative art. Holtzhey, a master medalist active in Haarlem and Amsterdam, specialized in such portable tokens of nobility, blending portraiture with symbolic motifs to honor royal milestones. The medal's creation reflects the cultural reverence for the House of Orange during a pivotal era in Dutch history, when the stadtholderate regained prominence after years of republican governance. Struck using precisely engraved dies to imprint intricate designs onto metal blanks—likely silver or a similar alloy—this technique allowed for sharp details in a tiny format, making it ideal for gifting among aristocracy or display in cabinets of curiosities. As a snapshot of Rococo-era elegance, the piece highlights Holtzhey's skill in capturing youthful nobility, offering visitors a tangible link to 18th-century courtly life and the artistry of medal-making. Though small, its historical charm endures.