 The Museum National
is located on the side of Merdeka Square or Lapangan Merdeka and was uilt in 1862
at that time Dutch colonial administration realized about the great treasure of
Indonesian cultural heritages and long history of Indonesia. The biggest surprised
for the Western historians was the fact that historical record in Indonesia showing
tremendous level of similarities with those in India, India and Asia mainland
in general. The elements of India is the most interesting aspect at one side and
the fact of Indonesian ethnography. All these facts had invited various experts
to study Indonesia in more intensive and extensive effort. In the field of history
the archaeologists, paleontologists, epigraphists, linguistic, paleographic and
ceramologists have dedicated themselves for the light of Indonesian history, educated
local student to understand their culture which had been a great historians such
as Prof. Dr. Poerbatjaraka, Prof. Wiryosuparto, Prof Soekarto, Prof. Soekmono,
Prof. I.B. Mantra and many others. In the field of Anthropology even more expert
were born, although it is much later such as Prof. Koentjaraningrat.
Deeper study on Hindu tradition has brought into light the eat influence of Indian
Epic such as Mahabharata and Ramayana in the life of Javanese and Balinese. Everywhere
in the region of Indonesia were found the remains of ancient Hindu kingdoms and
culture. The remains either in thee form of monuments and artifacts. This fact
has encouraged the establishment of national museum as the center for Indonesian
cultural study.
As a national museum, their collection consist f ethnic map, Indonesian relief
map, various ethnic cultural objects from cloths, music, house model, and relics.
In the field of history, a big number of collection from ancient Hindu kingdoms,
and Chinese ceramic from Hand dynasty ( ca. 300 to 220 AD.
History Of National Museum
On April 24, 1778, a group of Dutch intellectuals stablished a scientific institution
under the name Bataviaasch Genotschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen, (Batavia Society
for Arts and Science). This private body had the aim of promoting research in
the field of arts and sciences, especially in history, archaeology, ethnography
and physics, and publish the various findings.
One of the founders - JCM Radermacher - donated building and a collection of cultural
objects and books, which were of great value to start off a museum and library
for the society. Due to the growing collections, General Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles
built a new premises on Jalan Majapahit No. 3 at the beginning of the 19th century
and named it the Literary Society. In the 1862 the Dutch East Indian government
decided to build a new museum that would not only serve as an office but also
could be used to house, preserve and display the collections.
The Museum was officially opened in 1868 and became known as Gedung Gajah (Elephant
House) or Gedung Arca (House of Statues). It was called Gedung Gajah on account
of the bronze lephant statue in the front yard donated by King Chulalongkorn from
Thailand in 1871. It was also called Gedung Arca because a great variety of statues
from different periods are on display in the house.
On February 29, 1950 the Institution became the Lembaga Kebudayaan Indonesia (Indonesian
Culture Council) and on September 17, 1962 it was handed over to the Indonesian
government and became the Museum Pusat (Central Museum). By decree of the Minister
of Education and Culture No. 092/0/1979 of May 28, 1979 it was renamed the Museum
Nasional. The Museum Nasional is not only a centre for research and study into
the national and cultural heritage, but also functions as an educative, cultural
and recreational information centre.
Currently the Musium Nasional houses collections of 109,342 objects under the
categories of prehistory, archaeology, ethnography, numismatics-heraldic, geography
and historical relics.
In 1994, the museum started with is expansion project. The new building, constructed
in the same architectural style as the old, comprises an arena for theatrical
performances and more spaces for exhibitions. The building is scheduled for completion
this year.
General Information
Opening Times
The Musium Nasional is open from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm
on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; from 8.30
am to 11.30 am on Friday; and from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm
on Saturday.
The Museum is closed on Monday.
Admission Fee
Adults - Rp750
Children under 17 years and students - Rp250
Gift shop
A small gift shop located in the entrance hall has the
same opening hours as the rest of The Museum. It offers
a selection of books, postcards and reproductions of
various exhibits.
Parking
The Museum is situated on jalan Merdeka Barat. The front
courtyard can accommodate cars and tour buses.
Tours
The Indonesian Heritage Society conducts tours of the
Museum at the following times
English: Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday 9.30 am & LAST SUNDAY of every month
at 10.30 am
Japanese: Tuesday 10 am and FIRST SUNDAY of every
month at 10 am
German: Thursday 10 am
The times and dates of guided tours in Dutch and French can be obtained by telephoning
the Indonesian Heritage Society Office at Musium Nasional on (62-21) 381 1551
extension 46
Visitors are kindly asked to refrain from smoking, eating
and drinking in all areas of the Museum, and are prohibited
from touching the exhibits.
COLLECTION
Prehistory
The Prehistoric Age has long time frame, beginning from
the presence of man until the emergence of writing differs
in every part of the world. From the discovery of ancient
human fossils in Indonesia, it is estimated that man
lived here around one million years ago. Writing emerged
before the 4th century.
Paleontology, the study of Prehistoric periods, explains
the lifestyles of prehistoric civilizations through
research into their fossilized remains and the artefacts
that they made.
The Neolithic era emerged gradually between 2500 BC
and 1500 BC when the vast number of people emigrated
from the Asian mainland to the Malaysian peninsula,
then to the island of Indonesia by sea. The immigrants
built dwellings, planted rice on dry land or in irrigated
fields and raised cattle. They formed agrarian village
communities. This settled lifestyle enabled men to develop
their skills in many areas, thus establishing a specific
Neolithic culture, examples of which can be seen in this room.
Treasure Room
The Treasure Rooms are divided into two sections - the
Archaeology Room and the Ethnography Room. There are
about 2,00 items in the Museum's gold and silver collections,
the majority of which were found accidentally rather
than on organized digs.
Indonesia has been rich in gold and other precious metals
for centuries. Artefacts were made using such processes
as casting, soldering, riveting an sewing with gold
wire, and were decorated by chiselling, the repousse
technique (whereby the design is hammered from the inside
of an object), and by adding detailed ornamentation.
Due to the biodegradability of the most materials used
by the ancient Indonesian kingdoms, relatively little
remains for scholars to base their study of these civilizations
upon. As a result, since gold does not deteriorate,
these objects are treasured not just for their value
and decoration but also for their great historical importance.
As well as a high level of culture, the gold items reveal
a great deal about the life and rituals of the early kingdoms.
In 1990, farmers found a cache of treasure from java's
classical Era ( 5th-15th century ) in Wonoboyo, Klaten,
Central Java. These exquisite gold and silver items,
collectively weighing more than 35 kg, are believed
to have been buried in Lava in the early10th century,
perhaps due to a major eruption of Mount Merapi. They
comprise the largest find in Indonesia this century
and are currently displayed in the showcase in the center
of the Archaeology treasure room.
The collection in the Ethnography treasure room comprises
objects from the 18th to the early 20th centuries. The
artefacts are mostly crafted from 14-24 carat gold and
many are adorned with precious stones.
Bronze Collection
Bronze is well-represented in the Museum and the collection,
which comprises up to 3,199 pieces, is absolutely spectacular.
The Bronze Age in Indonesia is estimated as having begun around the st century
BC, and it drastically changed man's way of life both practically and culturally.
Bronze is a mixture of copper and tin, and as it has a low melting point, objects
were either produced by forging (heating then beating the bronze) or by wax-casting
techniques. Bronze axes, ceremonial items and jewellery were the most popular
items made.
With the onset of the Classical Age production and casting
processes improved, and techniques such as soldering
were introduced. Bronze items became more varied, ranging
from statues of Buddha for worship to domestic appliances,
and their decoration more ornate. Bronze was also used
to replace materials that were easily damaged, so the
shape of domestic appliances, for example, did not radically
change - a water jar would look the same in bronze as
it did in terracotta.
Stone Sculptures
Stone tools and statues have been made by Indonesian civilizations since prehistoric
times. The gradual sophistication of these objects and tools used to create them
are indicative of cultural progress.The Museum Nasional has a wealth of stone
statues in many different forms and sizes, most notably relating to ancestral
worship, Hindu gods and goddesses, kings and animals. The statues were usually
put in temple alcoves or in the temple's main room (cella), and the majority of
them were discovered in Central Java and Sumatra. Volcanic andesite was most commonly
used but many of the East Javanese statues made uring the 14th and 15th centuries,
were sculpted from sandstone or limestone.As a result of the Hindu-Buddhist influence
that was prevalent in Indonesia between the 4th and the 10th centuries, statues
created during this period were very similar to those made in East India. Sculptors
(silpin). In India had to follow precise rules stated in the Silpasastra book;
for example, eyes had to be shaped like lotus (padma) leaves, eyebrows like an
archer's bow and arms like an elephants trunk. While these features were copied
in Indonesia, the Silpasastra rules were generally not strictly adhered to, and
after this period, especially during the Majapahit era (14th and 15th centuries
), statues made throughout the archipelago exuded a more 'Indonesian' style. In
the Museum Nasional, Stone Sculpture Collections is included into the Archaeology
Section.
Ceramic collection
The ceramics collection differentiates between artefacts
originating from countries such as China, Vietnam, Thailand,
Myanmar and Japan, and objects made in Indonesia or
made in Indonesia or made out of terracotta. This particular
collection gives us a good insight into Indonesia's
maritime trade over the countries.
Research indicates that the Chinese sailed to India
via Indonesia as early as the Western Han period (205
BC to 220 AD) and that firm trade relation were subsequently
established.
The islands of Indonesia were the source of many rare
commodities and foreign trades were motivated to undertake
long and risky sea voyages to get there. Many ships
sank before reaching their journey's and, however.
Their non-perishable cargoes, such as ceramics, which
would have been used as barter, were washed ashore.
Some items were used as common household utensils but
fine ceramics were more rare and much sought after.
They become cherished heirlooms and were used during
the specials ceremonies for birth, circumcision, marriage
and death. Occasionally, they were specially commissioned
for a private buyer or given as tributes to local dignitaries.
The nucleus of the Museum Nasional's foreign ceramic
collection was donated by the Dutch philanthropist and
collector, Egbert Willem van Orsoy de Flines, who also
became the first ceramics curator of the Museum in 1959.
Although originating in other countries, the ceramics objects in the Museum collection
were all found in Indonesia. As well being objects of great beauty, they form
an important part of the nation's history. The
Museum National is located on the side of Merdeka Square or Lapangan Merdeka and
was built in 1862 at that time Dutch colonial administration realized about
the great treasure of Indonesian cultural heritages and long history of Indonesia.
The biggest surprised for the Western historians was the fact that historical
record in Indonesia showing tremendous level of similarities with those in India,
India and Asia mainland in general. The elements of India is the most interesting
aspect at one side and the fact of Indonesian ethnography. All these facts had
invited various experts to study Indonesia in more intensive and extensive effort.
In the field of history the archaeologists, paleontologists, epigraphists, linguistic,
paleographic and ceramologists have dedicated themselves for the light of Indonesian
history, educated local student to understand their culture which had been a great
historians such as Prof. Dr. Poerbatjaraka, Prof. Wiryosuparto, Prof Soekarto,
Prof. Soekmono, Prof. I.B. Mantra and many others. In the field of Anthropology
even more expert were born, although it is much later such as Prof. Koentjaraningrat.
Deeper study on Hindu tradition has brought into light the great influence of
Indian Epic such as Mahabharata and Ramayana in the life of Javanese and Balinese.
Everywhere in the region of Indonesia were found the remains of ancient Hindu
kingdoms and culture. The remains either in thee form of monuments and artifacts.
This fact has encouraged the establishment of national museum as the center for
Indonesian cultural study.
As a national museum, their collection consist of ethnic
map, Indonesian relief map, various ethnic cultural
objects from cloths, music, house model, and relics.
In the field of history, a big number of collection
from ancient Hindu kingdoms, and Chinese ceramic from
Hand dynasty ( ca. 300 to 220 AD.
History Of National Museum
On April 24, 1778, a group of Dutch intellectuals established
a scientific institution under the name Bataviaasch
Genotschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen, (Batavia Society
for Arts and Science). This private body had the aim
of promoting research in the field of arts and sciences,
especially in history, archaeology, ethnography and
physics, and publish the various findings.
One of the founders - JCM Radermacher - donated a building and a collection of
cultural objects and books, which were of great value to start off a museum and
library for the society. Due to the growing collections, General Sir Thomas Stamford
Raffles built a new premises on Jalan Majapahit No. 3 at the beginning of the
19th century and named it the Literary Society. In the 1862 the Dutch East Indian
government decided to build a new museum that would not only serve as an office
but also could be used to house, preserve and display the collections.
The Museum was officially opened in 1868 and became known as Gedung Gajah (Elephant
House) or Gedung Arca (House of Statues). It was called Gedung Gajah on account
of the bronze elephant statue in the front yard donated by King Chulalongkorn
from Thailand in 1871. It was also called Gedung Arca because a great variety
of statues from different periods are on display in the house.
On February 29, 1950 the Institution became the Lembaga Kebudayaan Indonesia (Indonesian
Culture Council) and on September 17, 1962 it was handed over to the Indonesian
government and became the Museum Pusat (Central Museum). By decree of the Minister
of Education and Culture No. 092/0/1979 of May 28, 1979 it was renamed the Museum
Nasional. The Museum Nasional is not only a centre for research and study into
the national and cultural heritage, but also functions as an educative, cultural
and recreational information centre.
Currently the Musium Nasional houses collections of
109,342 objects under the categories of prehistory,
archaeology, ethnography, numismatics-heraldic, geography
and historical relics.
In 1994, the museum started with is expansion project.
The new building, constructed in the same architectural
style as the old, comprises an arena for theatrical
performances and more spaces for exhibitions. The building
is scheduled for completion this year.
General Information
Opening Times
The Musium Nasional is open from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
and Sunday; from 8.30 am to 11.30 am on Friday; and from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm on
Saturday.
The Museum is closed on Monday.
Admission Fee
Adults - Rp750
Children under 17 years and students - Rp250
Gift shop
A small gift shop located in the entrance hall has the same opening hours as the
rest of The Museum. It offers a selection of books, postcards and reproductions
of various exhibits.
Parking
The Museum is situated n jalan Merdeka Barat. The front courtyard can accommodate
cars and tour buses.
Tours
The Indonesian Heritage Society onducts tours of the Museum at the following times
English: Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday 9.30 am & LAST SUNDAY of every month
at 10.30 am
Japanese: Tuesday 10 am
and FIRST SUNDAY of every month at 10 am
German: Thursday 10 am
The times and dates of guided tours in Dutch and French
can be obtained by telephoning the Indonesian Heritage
Society Office at Musium Nasional on (62-21) 381 1551
extension 46
Visitors are kindly asked to refrain from smoking, eating and drinking in all
areas of the Museum, and are prohibited from touching the exhibits.
COLLECTION
Prehistory
The Prehistoric Age has long time frame, beginning from the presence of man until
the emergence of writing differs in every part of the world. From the discovery
of ancient human fossils in Indonesia, it is estimated that man lived here around
one million years ago. Writing emerged before the 4th century.
Paleontology, the study of Prehistoric periods, explains
the lifestyles of prehistoric civilizations through
research into their fossilized remains and the artefacts
that they made.
The Neolithic era emerged gradually between 2500 BC and 1500 BC when the vast
number of people emigrated from the Asian mainland to the Malaysian peninsula,
then to the island of Indonesia by sea. The immigrants built dwellings, planted
rice on dry land or in irrigated fields and raised cattle. They formed agrarian
village communities. This settled lifestyle enabled men to develop their skills
in many areas, thus establishing a specific Neolithic culture, examples of which
can be seen in this room.
Treasure Room
The Treasure Rooms are divided into two sections - the Archaeology Room and the
Ethnography Room. There are about 2,00 items in the Museum's gold and silver collections,
the majority of which were found accidentally rather than on organized digs.
Indonesia has been rich in gold and other precious metals for centuries. Artefacts
were made using such processes as casting, soldering, riveting an sewing with
gold wire, and were decorated by chiselling, the repousse technique (whereby the
design is hammered from the inside of an object), and by adding detailed ornamentation.
Due to the biodegradability of the most materials used by the ancient Indonesian
kingdoms, relatively little remains for scholars to base their study of these
civilizations upon. As a result, since gold does not deteriorate, these objects
are treasured not just for their value and decoration but also for their great
historical importance. As well as a high level of culture, the gold items reveal
a great deal about the life and rituals of the early kingdoms.
In 1990, farmers found a cache of treasure from java's classical Era ( 5th-15th
century ) in Wonoboyo, Klaten, Central Java. These exquisite gold and silver items,
collectively weighing more than 35 kg, are believed to have been buried in Lava
in the early10th century, perhaps due to a major eruption of Mount Merapi. They
comprise the largest find in Indonesia this century and are currently displayed
in the showcase in the center of the Archaeology treasure room.
The collection in the Ethnography treasure room comprises objects from the 18th
to the early 20th centuries. The artefacts are mostly crafted from 14-24 carat
gold and many are adorned with precious stones.
Bronze Collection
Bronze is well-represented in the Museum and the collection, which comprises up
to 3,199 pieces, is absolutely spectacular.
The Bronze Age in Indonesia is estimated as having begun around the 1st century
BC, and it drastically changed man's way of life both practically and culturally.
Bronze is a mixture of copper and tin, and as it has a low melting point, objects
were either produced by forging (heating then beating the bronze) or by wax-casting
techniques. Bronze axes, ceremonial items and jewellery were the most popular
items made.
With the onset of the Classical Age production and casting processes improved,
and techniques such as soldering were introduced. Bronze items became more varied,
ranging from statues of Buddha for worship to domestic appliances, and their decoration
more ornate. Bronze was also used to replace materials that were easily damaged,
so the shape of domestic appliances, for example, did not radically change - a
water jar would look the same in bronze as it did in terracotta.
Stone Sculptures
Stone tools and statues have been made by Indonesian civilizations since prehistoric
times. The gradual sophistication of these objects and tools used to create them
are indicative of cultural progress.The Museum Nasional has a wealth of stone
statues in many different forms and sizes, most notably relating to ancestral
worship, Hindu gods and goddesses, kings and animals. The statues were usually
put in temple alcoves or in the temple's main room (cella), and the majority of
them were discovered in Central Java and Sumatra. Volcanic andesite was most commonly
used but many of the East Javanese statues made during the 14th and 15th centuries,
were sculpted from sandstone or limestone.As a result of the Hindu-Buddhist influence
that was prevalent in Indonesia between the 4th and the 10th centuries, statues
created during this period were very similar to those made in East India. Sculptors
(silpin). In India had to follow precise rules stated in the Silpasastra book;
for example, eyes had to be shaped like lotus (padma) leaves, eyebrows like an
archer's bow and arms like an elephants trunk. While these features were copied
in Indonesia, the Silpasastra rules were generally not strictly adhered to, and
after this period, especially during the Majapahit era (14th and 15th centuries
), statues made throughout the archipelago exuded a more 'Indonesian' style. In
the Museum Nasional, Stone Sculpture Collections is included into the Archaeology
Section.
Ceramic collection
The ceramics collection differentiates between artefacts
originating from countries such as China, Vietnam, Thailand,
Myanmar and Japan, and objects made in Indonesia or
made in Indonesia or made out of terracotta. This particular
collection gives us a good insight into Indonesia's
maritime trade over the countries.
Research indicates that the Chinese sailed to India
via Indonesia as early as the Western Han period (205
BC to 220 AD) and that firm trade relation were subsequently
established.
The islands of Indonesia were the source of many rare
commodities and foreign trades were motivated to undertake
long and risky sea voyages to get there. Many ships
sank before reaching their journey's and, however.
Their non-perishable cargoes, such as ceramics, which would have been used as
barter, were washed ashore. Some items were used as common household utensils
but fine ceramics were more rare and much sought after. They become cherished
heirlooms and were used during the specials ceremonies for birth, circumcision,
marriage and death. Occasionally, they were specially commissioned for a private
buyer or given as tributes to local dignitaries.
The nucleus of the Museum Nasional's foreign ceramic collection was donated by
the Dutch philanthropist and collector, Egbert Willem van Orsoy de Flines, who
also became the first ceramics curator of the Museum in 1959.
Although originating in other countries, the ceramics objects in the Museum collection
were all found in Indonesia. As well being objects of great beauty, they form
an important part of the nation's history. The
Museum National is located on the side of Merdeka Square or Lapangan Merdeka and
was built in 1862 at that time Dutch colonial administration realized about the
great treasure of Indonesian cultural heritages and long history of Indonesia.
The biggest surprised for the Western historians was the fact that historical
record in Indonesia showing tremendous level of similarities with those in India,
India and Asia mainland in general. The elements of India is the most interesting
aspect at one side and the fact of Indonesian ethnography. All these facts had
invited various experts to study Indonesia in more intensive and extensive effort.
In the field of history the archaeologists, paleontologists, epigraphists, linguistic,
paleographic and ceramologists have dedicated themselves for the light of Indonesian
history, educated local student to understand their culture which had been a great
historians such as Prof. Dr. Poerbatjaraka, Prof. Wiryosuparto, Prof Soekarto,
Prof. Soekmono, Prof. I.B. Mantra and many others. In the field of Anthropology
even more expert were born, although it is much later such as Prof. Koentjaraningrat.
Deeper study on Hindu tradition has brought into light the great influence of
Indian Epic such as Mahabharata and Ramayana in the life of Javanese and Balinese.
Everywhere in the region of Indonesia were found the remains of ancient Hindu
kingdoms and culture. The remains either in thee form of monuments and artifacts.
This fact has encouraged the establishment of national museum as the center for
Indonesian cultural study.
As a national museum, their collection consist of ethnic map, Indonesian relief
map, various ethnic cultural objects from cloths, music, house model, and relics.
In the field of history, a big number of collection from ancient Hindu kingdoms,
and Chinese ceramic from Hand dynasty ( ca. 300 to 220 AD.
History Of National Museum
On April 24, 1778, a group of Dutch intellectuals established a scientific institution
under the name Bataviaasch Genotschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen, (Batavia Society
for Arts and Science). This private body had the aim of promoting research in
the field of arts and sciences, especially in history, archaeology, ethnography
and physics, and publish the various findings.
One of the founders - JCM Radermacher - donated a building and a collection of
cultural objects and books, which were of great value to start off a museum and
library for the society. Due to the growing collections, General Sir Thomas Stamford
Raffles built a new premises on Jalan Majapahit No. 3 at the beginning of the
19th century and named it the Literary Society. In the 1862 the Dutch East Indian
government decided to build a new museum that would not only serve as an office
but also could be used to house, preserve and display the collections.
The Museum was officially opened in 1868 and became known as Gedung Gajah (Elephant
House) or Gedung Arca (House of Statues). It was called Gedung Gajah on account
of the bronze elephant statue in the front yard donated by King Chulalongkorn
from Thailand in 1871. It was also called Gedung Arca because a great variety
of statues from different periods are on display in the house.
On February 29, 1950 the Institution became the Lembaga Kebudayaan Indonesia (Indonesian
Culture Council) and on September 17, 1962 it was handed over to the Indonesian
government and became the Museum Pusat (Central Museum). By decree of the Minister
of Education and Culture No. 092/0/1979 of May 28, 1979 it was renamed the Museum
Nasional. The Museum Nasional is not only a centre for research and study into
the national and cultural heritage, but also functions as an educative, cultural
and recreational information centre.
Currently the Musium Nasional houses collections of 109,342 objects under the
categories of prehistory, archaeology, ethnography, numismatics-heraldic, geography
and historical relics.
In 1994, the museum started with is expansion project. The new building, constructed
in the same architectural style as the old, comprises an arena for theatrical
performances and more spaces for exhibitions. The building is scheduled for completion
this year.
General Information
Opening Times
The Musium Nasional is open from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
and Sunday; from 8.30 am to 11.30 am on Friday; and from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm on
Saturday.
The Museum is closed on Monday.
Admission Fee
Adults - Rp750
Children under 17 years and students - Rp250
Gift shop
A small gift shop located in the entrance hall has the
same opening hours as the rest of The Museum. It offers
a selection of books, postcards and reproductions of
various exhibits.
Parking
The Museum is situated on jalan Merdeka Barat. The front
courtyard can accommodate cars and tour buses.
Tours
The Indonesian Heritage Society conducts tours of the
Museum at the following times
English: Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday 9.30 am & LAST SUNDAY of every month
at 10.30 am
Japanese: Tuesday 10 am
and FIRST SUNDAY of every month at 10 am
German: Thursday 10 am
The times and dates of guided tours in Dutch and French
can be obtained by telephoning the Indonesian Heritage
Society Office at Musium Nasional on (62-21) 381 1551
extension 46
Visitors are kindly asked to refrain from smoking, eating
and drinking in all areas of the Museum, and are prohibited
from touching the exhibits.
COLLECTION
Prehistory
The Prehistoric Age has long time frame, beginning from the presence of man until
the emergence of writing differs in every part of the world. From the discovery
of ancient human fossils in Indonesia, it is estimated that man lived here around
one million years ago. Writing emerged before the 4th century.
Paleontology, the study of Prehistoric periods, explains the lifestyles of prehistoric
civilizations through research into their fossilized remains and the artefacts
that they made.
The Neolithic era emerged gradually between 2500 BC and 1500 BC when the vast
number of people emigrated from the Asian mainland to the Malaysian peninsula,
then to the island of Indonesia by sea. The immigrants built dwellings, planted
rice on dry land or in irrigated fields and raised cattle. They formed agrarian
village communities. This settled lifestyle enabled men to develop their skills
in many areas, thus establishing a specific Neolithic culture, examples of which
can be seen in this room.
Treasure Room
The Treasure Rooms are divided into two sections - the Archaeology Room and the
Ethnography Room. There are about 2,00 items in the Museum's gold and silver collections,
the majority of which were found accidentally rather than on organized digs.
Indonesia has been rich in gold and other precious metals for centuries. Artefacts
were made using such processes as casting, soldering, riveting an sewing with
gold wire, and were decorated by chiselling, the repousse technique (whereby the
design is hammered from the inside of an object), and by adding detailed ornamentation.
Due to the biodegradability of the most materials used by the ancient Indonesian
kingdoms, relatively little remains for scholars to base their study of these
civilizations upon. As a result, since gold does not deteriorate, these objects
are treasured not just for their value and decoration but also for their great
historical importance. As well as a high level of culture, the gold items reveal
a great deal about the life and rituals of the early kingdoms.
In 1990, farmers found a cache of treasure from java's classical Era ( 5th -15th
century ) in Wonoboyo, Klaten, Central Java. These exquisite gold and silver items,
collectively weighing more than 35 kg, are believed to have been buried in Lava
in the early10th century, perhaps due to a major eruption of Mount Merapi. They
comprise the largest find in Indonesia this century and are currently displayed
in the showcase in the center of the Archaeology treasure room.
The collection in the Ethnography treasure room comprises objects from the 18th
to the early 20th centuries. The artefacts are mostly crafted from 14-24 carat
gold and many are adorned with precious stones.
Bronze Collection
Bronze is well-represented in the Museum and the collection,
which comprises up to 3,199 pieces, is absolutely spectacular.
The Bronze Age in Indonesia is estimated as having begun around the 1st century
BC, and it drastically changed man's way of life both practically and culturally.
Bronze is a mixture of copper and tin, and as it has a low melting point, objects
were either produced by forging (heating then beating the bronze) or by wax-casting
techniques. Bronze axes, ceremonial items and jewellery were the most popular
items made.
With the onset of the Classical Age production and casting processes improved,
and techniques such as soldering were introduced. Bronze items became more varied,
ranging from statues of Buddha for worship to domestic appliances, and their decoration
more ornate. Bronze was also used to replace materials that were easily damaged,
so the shape of domestic appliances, for example, did not radically change - a
water jar would look the same in bronze as it did in terracotta.
Stone Sculptures
Stone tools and statues have been made by Indonesian civilizations since prehistoric
times. The gradual sophistication of these objects and tools used to create them
are indicative of cultural progress.The Museum Nasional has a wealth of stone
statues in many different forms and sizes, most notably relating to ancestral
worship, Hindu gods and goddesses, kings and animals. The statues were usually
put in temple alcoves or in the temple's main room (cella), and the majority of
them were discovered in Central Java and Sumatra. Volcanic andesite was most commonly
used but many of the East Javanese statues made during the 14th and 15th centuries,
were sculpted from sandstone or limestone.As a result of the Hindu-Buddhist influence
that was prevalent in Indonesia between the 4th and the 10th centuries, statues
created during this period were very similar to those made in East India. Sculptors
(silpin). In India had to follow precise rules stated in the Silpasastra book;
for example, eyes had to be shaped like lotus (padma) leaves, eyebrows like an
archer's bow and arms like an elephants trunk. While these features were copied
in Indonesia, the Silpasastra rules were generally not strictly adhered to, and
after this period, especially during the Majapahit era (14th and 15th centuries
), statues made throughout the archipelago exuded a more 'Indonesian' style. In
the Museum Nasional, Stone Sculpture Collections is included into the Archaeology
Section.
Ceramic collection
The ceramics collection differentiates between artefacts
originating from countries such as China, Vietnam, Thailand,
Myanmar and Japan, and objects made in Indonesia or
made in Indonesia or made out of terracotta. This particular
collection gives us a good insight into Indonesia's
maritime trade over the countries.
Research indicates that the Chinese sailed to India via Indonesia as early as
the Western Han period (205 BC to 220 AD) and that firm trade relation were subsequently
established.
The islands of Indonesia were the source of many rare commodities and foreign
trades were motivated to undertake long and risky sea voyages to get there. Many
ships sank before reaching their journey's and, however.
Their non-perishable cargoes, such as ceramics, which would have been used as
barter, were washed ashore. Some items were used as common household utensils
but fine ceramics were more rare and much sought after. They become cherished
heirlooms and were used during the specials ceremonies or birth, circumcision,
marriage and death. Occasionally, they were specially commissioned for a private
buyer or given as tributes to local dignitaries.
The nucleus of the Museum Nasional's foreign ceramic collection was donated by
the Dutch philanthropist and collector, Egbert Willem van Orsoy de Flines,who
also became the first ceramics curator of the Museum in 1959.
Although riginating in other countries, the ceramics objects in the Museum collection
were all found in Indonesia. As well being objects of great beauty, they form
an important part of the nation's history. |
