The United Provinces of the Netherlands, or United Provinces (officially the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands), commonly referred to in historiography as the Dutch Republic, Coat of arms of the States General Unity makes power 'Concordia res parvae crescunt., beautifully engraved.
This was the motto of the Dutch Republic (1581-1795) and during most of the Napoleonic times (1802-10). It continued to be used in the country until 1816 when it was replaced by the current Dutch motto Je maintiendrai. "Unity makes strength" was recorded for the first time in the Netherlands in the book Gemeene Duytsche Spreekwoorden ("Common Dutch Proverbs") in 1550, whilst the area was still within the Spanish Empire and under the rule of Charles V. After the Dutch gained independence, the new Dutch Republic took over the phrase as its motto and it appeared on several of its coins and coats of arms, usually in the original Latin form, Concordia res parvae crescunt (literally "together the small will grow"), referring to the new state's initially small territorial size. From the late 16th century onwards the start of the motto was frequently used on Dutch coinage, such as the Leicester-rijksdaalder in 1586.[15]
http://hubert-herald.nl/Staatswapen2.htm
The French occupied the Netherlands from 1795 to 1813, first as the Batavian Republic, then the Kingdom of Holland, then as an annexed part of France itself. Early in the occupation the national motto was changed to "Gelykheid, Vryheid, Broederschap" (Equality, Liberty, Fraternity), but from 1802 to 1810 'Unity makes strength' was re-introduced. It remained in use until the institution of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands when, in 1816, it switched to the House of Orange motto Je maintiendrai.
The circular silver box was presented by the States General to a special person. 17th- 18th Century silver made in The Hague is very sought after, highly collectible.
Town mark of The Hague, Stork with eel in beak in crowned shield. Year letter The Hague 10e Alfabet, date letter D(?) for 1726, Lion rampant provincial standard mark for 1st standard silver 934/1000, makers mark
CR with
radish in between for; Christoffel Radijs, registered in the Hague 1725-1782.
Peter.
