Preface It is best to tell the history of a museum through the important events that have touched it. Defining moments, that often only afterwards are recognized as such. That the gift of Frits Liefkes’ collection of Indonesian art and the bequest that accompanied it deserves a place in the history of Rijksmuseum Volkenkunde was immediately evident to us at the time. On account of the quality, size, and breadth of the collection, of course. And because Frits Liefkes stipulated, in relation to the gift, that pieces of lesser quality could be sold and the proceeds used to strengthen our Indonesia collection. There came, over and above that, a substantial bequest, in part the result of the sale of his house. An unbelievable gift, that will live on in Rijksmuseum Volkenkunde through the acquisitions that it makes possible. That the gift arrived at an exceptional moment will also play a role in its historic significance. For just at the time when the museum had to convincingly demonstrate that it had at its disposal sufficient income of its own, this generous bequest was most welcome.
To present this beautiful collection, there is an exhibition and this book. Frits Liefkes knew as none other that a collection is to be looked at, to be enjoyed. That is what drove his collecting passion. And now you and I can also see what he had collected around himself in his home during all these years. We look as it were through his eyes, an enriching experience. When the exhibition is over, the book will still remain. And that also can be seen as historic. For the book presents the first specific collection in a new Collection Series of Rijksmuseum Volkenkunde, and so begins a series of publications in which the museum’s most important collections are described. I do not know what Frits Liefkes would have thought of the place in our history that we have here given to him. Unfortunately I never knew him. But I suspect that he would have said that it is now time to look at the beautiful objects that he left to us, so that we can enjoy and learn about his collection. That we can do thanks to the many people who have contributed to the making of this book and the exhibition that it accompanies.
Stijn Schoonderwoerd General Director Rijksmuseum Volkenkunde
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