The Dutch Royals have always been very careful when receiving Representatives from Indonesia or when visiting. Queen Wilhelmina never ever visited those Dominions. Juliana did, but only (informal) after her Abdication!
Queen Beatrix went as far as offering a - carefully worded - official excuses on behalf of the Dutch Government during her State Visit there.
Anyway ... here's an interesting report by the hand of our fellow royal jewel expert JohnR about some ' precious souvenirs' the Dutch Royals still treasure !
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During the recent opening of the Rembrandt exhibition at the Vatican Museum, Princess Beatrix was wearing earrings and a large brooch from a very unique set of oriental jewellery.
Queen Wilhelmina was presented a versatile set of yellow gold and diamond jewellery in 1898 by the Sultan of the ancient Sultanate of Kutai, which is located on Borneo island which was then part of the Dutch East Indies.
Created by Jeweller Van Arcken & Co in Batavia (Jakarta) the locally found diamonds have a very typical so-called Banjarmasin cut and the gold was also mined locally. The motif comprises of sprays of flowers.
The elements could be placed on a Hindu-Javanese style diamond studded gold bandeau or worn separately. Some of the smallest elements were later turned into a set of earrings which can hold two triangular elements and other smaller pieces were attached to the largest element creating a substantial brooch or pendant.
The rows of diamonds set in yellow gold were taken from the bandeau and turned into a bracelet thus creating a very wearable set of beautiful oriental jewellery.
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