Stolen Treasures Return Home: Historic Artifacts Restored to Indonesian Museums

As part of a repatriation agreement reached this year, the Dutch government returned several historical relics to Indonesia.

Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia, East Timor, and ASEAN, Mark Gerritsen, met with Acting Governor of Bali, Mr. Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, at the official residence Jayasabha. He confirmed the repatriation of items taken from Indonesia during colonial rule.

The artifacts include four statues (13th-century Hindu-Buddhist sculptures of Bhairava, Nandi, Ganesha, and Brahma, taken from Java in the first half of the 19th century) and 284 items such as coins, weapons (kris – a traditional dagger with an asymmetrical blade, spears), and jewelry. These relics were taken by Dutch colonial forces after the conquest of the Badung and Tabanan kingdoms in Bali in 1906, as well as from the Singasari kingdom (Malang, East Java).

The first part of the artifacts has already arrived in Indonesia from the Netherlands and is on display at the National Museum of Indonesia (MNI) in Jakarta from October 15 to December 31, 2024. Before exhibiting the items to the public, both countries conducted an examination of each artifact to ensure their authenticity and origin. Indonesia and the Netherlands are currently discussing the return of the second part of the collection.

The Bhairava statue represents a tantric deity embodying both Hindu and Buddhist beliefs; Bhairava is a fierce form of Lord Shiva. The Nandi statue depicts a bull in a seated position. Both statues were taken from the Singasari temple complex in 1803 and subsequently transported to the Netherlands in 1827–1828.

The Brahma statue is recognizable by its four heads, symbolizing the four directions.

The returned collection is now part of one of MNI Reopen’s main programs — an exhibition of repatriated items. The display is not only an opportunity to see the historical artifacts returned to Indonesia but also a tribute to Indonesia’s struggle and hard work in restoring its cultural heritage. The exhibit layout periodically changes so visitors can experience all the new artifacts.

The artifacts originating from Bali are planned to be returned to the island after the completion of renovations and restoration of the halls and storage facilities of the Bali Museum, which was built during the colonial period.

Paintings by artists Walter Spies and Rudolf Bonnet, founders of the Pita Maha community, are planned to be stored in the Puri Lukisan Museum in Ubud, founded by the community in 1956. The paintings and kris have already been transported to Bali.

Earlier repatriation efforts in mid-2023 included statues of Ganesha, Mahakala, Durga Mahisasuramardini, and Nandishvara.

Regions of Bali, such as the city of Denpasar, are often overlooked by tourists exploring the island. Having historical and cultural gems and interesting museum exhibits will help attract the attention of local and international travelers to the island’s capital.

Sources: liputan6.com