Furniture from Indonesia Sri Lanka and India During the Dutch Period

Interest in colonial furniture has increased greatly during the last decade. In older works the history of colonial cabinet-making has largely been observed and described from a parochial point of view, to wit the Dutch East Indies. Far too seldom was account taken of the fact that the craftsmen in and in the vicinity of the V.O.C. stations came from the most diverse ethnic groups, each of which brought its own craft traditions with it and of the effect that this had on the development of cabinet-making in the various areas. From the research carried out by the writer of this book, it seems that the development of various types of furniture was much less bound to a particular place than had previously been assumed, also because, from the very earliest period, a great deal of furniture was transported backwards and forwards between sometimes, far distant, V.O.C. stations. By also including historical events and their outcomes, such as, for instance, the migration of craftsmen from one place to another as the result of wars and economic changes, the writer has placed the history of the colonial furniture in a much broader perspective than has hitherto been the case. By combining data from older sources with modern material interesting discoveries have been made.

This book, in which a number of new facts and, for a part, unpublished sources can be found and the illustrative material of which contains a large number of unpublished photographs is an indispensable handbook for anyone with an interest in colonial cabinet-making in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India. Because it is published in English now, for the first time, it is possible for foreign readers to enter the fascinating world of Dutch colonial furniture, a world which, up to now, has been terra incognita for them.

Hardcover with dust jacket

Book condition: Good. Covers have light general wear. Retailer's ink stamp, trifle stain and an abrasion to front free end paper. Otherwise internally very clean

Dust Jacket condition: Good. Jacket has moderate general wear, two tears to top edge, a couple of tiny nicks to top and bottom edge, a crease to front flap, a trifle stain to inside, and a small original retailer's label to rear

Author: Jan Veenendaal

Dimensions: 21.5 x 30.5 cm

Print length: 186 Pages

Language: English

Publication date: 1985

Publisher: Volkenkundig Museum Nusantara

ISBN:‎ 9071423026