Rotterdam returns colonial art pieces to Indonesia

The municipality of Rotterdam will return art pieces from colonial times to Indonesia. Two statues from Lombok and 66 objects from South Bali will be returned. These are mainly jewelry, textiles, and ceremonial weapons. The art pieces were managed by the Wereldmuseum in Rotterdam and owned by the city.

The objects were confiscated during military actions by the Royal Dutch East Indies Army at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. According to the municipality, research has shown that the objects were taken by force. The pieces will be sent back to Indonesia before the end of the year.

“Rotterdam recognizes that the art pieces that we are returning were never ours and belong in Indonesia,” said the alderman responsible for this, Said Kasmi. "With this restitution, we are taking an important step in redressing colonial injustice. It is a gesture of respect for Indonesian culture and the history we share."

Indonesia is pleased that the objects are being returned. According to the country’s ambassador, Mayerfas said that the objects are “symbols of identity and resilience.” Some of the objects will be exhibited upon return in the Museum Nasional in the capital Jakarta.

The Netherlands returned 288 objects from the Rijksmuseum that belong to Indonesia in September. This included four statues, weapons, and coins.