Eresabel KNIL met schede en draagstel 1861

This is a sword with scabbard and carrying straps, made by Willem Pauwels & Zn. Objects like this sword evoke complex narratives of power, colonialism, and identity. The KNIL, or Royal Netherlands East Indies Army, was the armed force of the Dutch East Indies. Consider the symbolism embedded in this object – the glint of steel, the ornate handle, the very act of carrying such a weapon. What does it mean to wield a sword in the name of empire? Whose lands were these swords meant to protect, and from whom? The history of the KNIL is deeply entwined with the exploitation and subjugation of the Indonesian people. This sword, then, is not merely a tool but a potent symbol of colonial authority and oppression. Reflect on the countless untold stories behind such objects, and on the legacy of colonialism that continues to shape our world. How do we grapple with the weight of such histories?