Changing Styles

Furniture styles in Batavia were constantly changing, with residents staying up-to-date with the latest fashions from Europe and Asia.

The earliest furniture in the collection dates back to the 17th century and was crafted from rare black ebony wood. Made on the Coromandel Coast (present-day India) or in Batavia by enslaved artisans, these objects feature intricate floral motifs. 

In the 18th century, European trends from French royal palaces (Louis XIV and XV) brought ornate furniture with rich red and gold colours and a focus on grandeur to Batavia. As the city, known as the “Queen of the East,” peaked under the VOC, the elite showcased their wealth with these lavish furnishings.

Though often European in design, the furniture was crafted by Asian artisans creating new unique styles. Skilled woodcarvers added patterns passed down from the kingdoms of Java, while Hokkien and Hakka-speaking artisans from Fujian (China) migrated to Batavia and brought their red lacquer decorative techniques.

Studio portrait of Raden Saleh ca.1860. Rijksmuseum, NG-1988-30-D-8-2.