Inktstel met wapen Batavia 1725 - 1750

This silver inkstand was made by Jurriaan van Kalker and adorned with the coat of arms of Batavia. Batavia was the name given by the Dutch to their colony in what is now Indonesia. Objects like this are fascinating because they offer insight into the intersection of trade, colonialism, and material culture in the 17th and 18th centuries. Van Kalker's inkstand is a luxury item, intended for the wealthy elite of Dutch society who profited from the exploitation of resources and people in the East Indies. The inclusion of the Batavia coat of arms is a clear indication of the object's connection to the colonial project, and would have served as a potent symbol of Dutch power and authority. Historians can explore archives, company records, and private collections to understand more about who might have commissioned or owned this piece. The meaning of objects like this is contingent on these contexts.