Patroontas cavalerie 1e regiment officieren, Koninklijke Landmacht met giberneriem, officier der artillerie Koninklijke Nederlands Indisch Leger, ca. 1880 c. 1830 - 1880

This is a cartridge box with a shoulder belt, used by officers in the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army around 1880. It offers a glimpse into the military and colonial history of the Netherlands. The box itself, known as a 'giberne', would have carried ammunition. Its presence speaks to the constant preparedness for conflict that defined the colonial experience. The shoulder belt, worn across the body, would distribute the weight and keep the giberne accessible. Notice the emblem, likely signifying rank or regiment, suggesting the rigid hierarchies within the military structure. The Netherlands East Indies, now Indonesia, was a crucial colony for the Dutch, providing resources and strategic importance. Military force was central to maintaining control, so this giberne is not just an object, but a symbol of Dutch colonial power. It reminds us of the social and political context in which the army operated. Understanding this object requires looking at military archives, colonial histories, and even the personal accounts of soldiers who served in the East Indies. Such research can help us interpret the significance of this military object within the larger narrative of Dutch colonialism.