The Furniture Makers

Furniture makers in Batavia came from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, each contributing their own skills and influences to their craft.

Many 17th-century furniture makers in Batavia were from the Coromandel Coast (present-day India). Their expertise in chintz textile printing and woodcarving, influenced by Hindu iconography, is reflected in the floral motifs of early furniture designs. 

Hokkien and Hakka-speaking craftsmen from Fujian (China) were central to 18th-century Batavian furniture production, and were known for creating smooth red lacquer objects with gilded (gold) carvings. A new peranakan style also emerged, featuring brightly painted and gilded designs.

While many VOC workshops were run by Europeans, the craftsmen were often Javanese. This influence is evident in the intricate carvings and decorative elements inspired by the Javanese art and architecture of the royal courts.

By the late 19th century, furniture manufacturing had shifted from Batavia to Central Java’s coastal regions (such as Japara), where it continues today.