News item | 06-07-2023 | 08:15
The Netherlands is returning 478 cultural objects at the request of Indonesia and Sri Lanka. During the colonial period, these objects ended up in the Netherlands unjustly, for example through robbery or coercion. State Secretary Uslu (Culture and Media) has decided on the return. She thus follows the very first recommendations of the Colonial Collections Committee chaired by Lilian Gonçalves-Ho Kang You. The works are currently in the collections of the National Museum of World Cultures and the Rijksmuseum.
These include the Lombok Treasure on Indonesia and the Cannon of Kandy on Sri Lanka. The transfer of ownership to Indonesia will take place on 10 July in Museum Volkenkunde. The transfer of ownership to Sri Lanka will take place later this year. The refund process is now in full swing. The Colonial Collections Committee is considering other requests from Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Nigeria. An opinion on this is expected later. Joint research with countries of origin is a central part of this collaboration
State Secretary Uslu: “This is a historic moment. It is the first time that, based on the advice of the Colonial Collections Committee, we are returning objects that should never have been in the Netherlands. But above all it is a moment to look to the future. We are not only returning objects, we are actually starting a period in which we will work more intensively with Indonesia and Sri Lanka. For example, in the field of collection research, presentation and exchange of museum professionals.”
Indonesia
Indonesia requested the return of several objects last summer that are of great importance to that country. The history and provenance of the objects has been extensively researched by the National Museum of World Cultures, in consultation with Indonesia. The Colonial Collections Committee has discussed this research with the Indonesian Repatriasi Committee chaired by I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, the former ambassador of Indonesia to the Netherlands. Partly on the basis of this investigation, the Committee has recommended restitution. This restitution was made possible thanks to intensive cooperation between Indonesia and the Netherlands and the committees of experts from both countries.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has requested the Netherlands to return six objects that were stolen from Sri Lanka and are now in the care of the Rijksmuseum. The history of these objects has been extensively researched by researchers from the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. This return also forms the basis for further cooperation between the two countries and the cultural institutions involved. The Netherlands and Sri Lanka will continue to talk to each other to further shape this cooperation.
Objects:
Indonesia
The ‘Lombok treasure’, consisting of 335 objects from Lombok
Four statues from Singasari
A kris from Klungkung
The Pita Maha collection, consisting of 132 objects from Bali
Sri Lanka
Lewke’s cannon
Golden Chestane (ceremonial sword)
Sinhalese knife
Silver chestnut
Two guns