The Jakarta History Museum, managed by the Department of Culture of the Jakarta Special Capital Region Government, has partnered with Southeast Asia Museum Services (SEAMS) to deepen understanding and appreciation of its significant furniture collection through a landmark exhibition, Furnitur Bertutur (Furniture Stories), set to open on 15 October 2024.

This exhibition marks the culmination of a multi-year project that began in 2022, with SEAMS undertaking a detailed study to assess the historical and cultural significance of the museum's collection. Initially, 25 key pieces were analyzed, each revealing unique stories of Jakarta's past, colonial influences, and diverse cultural exchanges. In 2023, the project expanded to include 28 additional objects, with a focus on uncovering and preserving the intricate histories embedded within each piece.

This exhibition explores the multi-layered and sometimes difficult history of Batavia (present-day Jakarta) through the Jakarta History Museum’s historic furniture collection.

Batavia was an important trading hub in the 17th and 18th centuries linking Asia and Europe. It was wealthy and cosmopolitan, a place where finely crafted and expensive furniture circulated widely, blending Eastern and Western influences in a distinctive ‘Batavian style’.

However, Batavia's past also includes difficult stories. Much of the oldest furniture was crafted by enslaved workers brought to Batavia by the Dutch East India Company (also known by its Dutch acronym, VOC) from across Asia. Furthermore, the grand homes where the furniture was displayed relied on a large workforce of enslaved people.

The project has been supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of Indonesia through the Special Allocation Fund (DAK), showcasing the government’s commitment to cultural preservation. SEAMS and the Jakarta History Museum also extend their gratitude to the National Museum of Indonesia and the community experts whose insights have enriched the exhibition.

Furnitur Bertutur will run from 15 October to 27 December 2024 at the Jakarta History Museum. For those unable to visit in person, a digital version is available at www.furniturbertutur.com, offering virtual tours and exclusive content that brings Jakarta’s rich cultural history to a wider audience.