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'My Gift for You': Private ceramic collection
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Antique: Chinese ceramics from the Qing Dynasty are on display at “My Gift for You: A donated collection from the family of Abdul Madjid Naim” exhibition at the Fine Arts and Ceramics Museum in West Jakarta, which runs until Aug. 31. (JP/Jawahir Gustav Rizal)
A private ceramic collection has finally made it into a Jakarta museum for the public to see.
Abdul Madjid Naim’s passion for ceramics was passed on by his late wife Ratu Mulyatini, who loved to mix-and-match antique pieces for their house.
His job as an “oil hunter” at an oil company, which took him from one place to another — from Makassar in South Sulawesi to Jambi — also helped him expand his ceramic collection.
Abdul said that despite being a member of the Indonesian Ceramic Association, he does not understand many things about ceramics.
His family supported his interest in collecting ceramics, believing the pieces would someday become priceless.
“When I pass away, I will leave these ceramics behind,” he said.
Over time, however, he had less and less time to look after his collection, something that bothered Abdul and his family.
His concern prompted him to donate his ceramic collection to the Fine Arts and Ceramics Museum in West Jakarta.
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The museum gladly accepted the generous donation, which consisted of 150 ceramic pieces dating as far back as the Yuan Dynasty (1280-1368) — characterized by a single color and in the form of jars, bowls and vases — as well as those from other countries.
Some of the ceramics include white-and-blue items from the Ming Dynasty (1369-1644) and some from the Qing Dynasty (1645-1912).
Apart from China, other pieces came from Vietnam, which are generally similar to Chinese ceramics, and from Thailand, Japan, Europe and Indonesia.
Following the handover ceremony of the collection, the museum opened an exhibition titled “My Gift for You: A donated collection from the family of Abdul Madjid Naim” to allow the public to view the once private collection. Apart from the showcase, which runs until Aug. 31, the museum also hosted a ceramic discussion and workshop for students.
The discussion featured Naniek Harkantiningsih of the National Archeological Development and Research Center, Bregas Harrimardoyo of the Ceramic Friends community and Indonesia Ceramics Association chairman Boedi Mranata.
Abdul’s granddaughters, Zahra and Nabila, are happy with his decision to donate the collection in the hope that the antiques will benefit other people. “I am glad that not only our family but also the public can see my grandmother’s legacy,” Zahra said.
The museum’s head administrator, Esti Utami, welcomed the donation and expressed hope that the public would take advantage of the exhibition to learn more about ceramics.
“We hope this exhibition will motivate the public to get involved in museum development and public education, making the museum a learning source,” she said.
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The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post.
