Inwijding van het nieuwe gebouw van de loge "De Ster in het Oosten" te Batavia 1858

This bronze medal, made by Francis Massonet, commemorates the opening of the new building of the "De Ster in het Oosten" lodge in Batavia. Today we know Batavia as Jakarta, Indonesia. The medal shows a building with classical architecture. The rays emanating from the top suggest enlightenment, a common symbol in Freemasonry, and signal the lodge's values of reason and progress. Freemasonry gained popularity in the Dutch East Indies among Europeans and some members of the local elite. Lodges like "De Ster in het Oosten" provided a space for social networking but also for discussing Enlightenment ideals, which sometimes led to debates about colonial policies and social reforms. Historical records, lodge archives, and studies of colonial history help us understand the complex role Freemasonry played in shaping social and political life in the Dutch East Indies. The medal serves as a reminder of the intricate web of social connections, cultural exchanges, and political ideas that shaped the colonial world.