Sir Stamford Raffles collecting in Southeast Asia 1811–1824


Small exhibition at the British Museum looking at objects collected by Sir Stamford Raffles in Java and Sumatra.

The show started by pointing out that Raffles was a controversial figure seen as an expert on the region, an imperialist, a reformer or an incompetent official. He started collecting in Java choosing objects that emphasised the argument for keeping the area as a British Colony and those which promoted his learned image. Most of his later collection from Sumatra was lost as sea but drawings of temples survive and were shown here.

The commentary talked about the influence of the Enlightenment on him and the changes he brought to the region. I wasn’t sure if all the objects on display were from his collection or just examples of types.

My favourite objects were the plate shown here, made for the European market, showing John the Baptist and Christ in a Asian landscape and a beautiful box in mother of pearl, black lacquer and iron showing scenes of trade.

Closes 12 January 2020

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