Bonk van 1 stuiver van Nederlands Indië,1803 1803

This small, rectangular bronze weight, dated 1803, is a "bonk van 1 stuiver" (a weight of 1 stuiver) from the Dutch East Indies. The inscription of "1803" within a frame of dots is the only embellishment on this functional object. The stuiver was a Dutch coin that was used in the Dutch East Indies during the 18th and 19th centuries, and this weight was likely used in trade or commerce. This small but significant object is now housed in the Rijksmuseum, giving insight into the history of Dutch colonialism and its impact on the region.