Writing Desk

Batavia, mid-18th century

Teakwood with red lacquer and gilded details

Imagine sitting at this slanted teak desk, sorting letters and drafting reports in colonial Batavia. Once part of the Museum Oud Batavia collection- the predecessor of today’s Jakarta History Museum- this desk reveals the city’s administrative rhythm and the artistry of Batavia’s furniture makers.
 

The desk’s reddish lacquer and gold trim show the fusion of European and Asian aesthetics characteristic of 18th-century Batavian design, reflecting the influence of Hokkien-Chinese craftsmen active in the city. Its gently inclined surface, rising from 77 cm to 82 cm, made long hours of writing more comfortable. The upper rack provided space for correspondence and documents, balancing practicality and elegance.

 

Today, it stands as a silent witness to the intersections of governance, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange in Batavia.

OB: 259 / MSJ 77:136/MM/MSJ / MSJ 2008:17 or 15 MM MSJ 2008 / MSJ 2008:18 MTA