Cane and pinfire pistol

Even after its establishment as a federal state in 1848, Switzerland continued for a long time to struggle with economic hardship and rural poverty. In that context, many Swiss enlisted as mercenaries in European colonial armies. One of them was Hans Christoffel (canton of Graubünden, 1865 – Antwerp, 1962), who joined the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army in 1886. From 1897 onward, he served as an officer and took part in operations in Kalimantan, Sulawesi, northern Sumatra, and Flores. He quickly became notorious for his authoritarian leadership style and his violent and ruthless conduct. Under his command, resistance from local populations was often suppressed with bloodshed.

In 1909, Christoffel married Adolphina Van Rijswijck (1881–1960), daughter of the former mayor of Antwerp, Jan Van Rijswijck (1853–1906). A year later, he retired. Largely through Adolphina’s mediation, the collection of objects Christoffel had brought back from Indonesia entered the museum collections of the City of Antwerp: first as a loan (1922) and eventually through purchase (1958). The collection comprises approximately 1,200 objects, including weapons, silverware, and textiles. A significant portion of these items was looted.

MAS is currently developing an artistic and research-based restitution trajectory around this collection, in collaboration with Indonesian and international experts. The aim is to share the collection and its provenance history transparently with communities of origin and to engage in dialogue with them. Contributions, ranging from videos to articles, are published on the MAS website.

Loans

For the exhibition at the Château de Prangins, MAS loaned a walking stick—made in Kalimantan by a Dayak craftsperson (whose name is unknown) and used by Christoffel himself—and his European-made service weapon.

• Colonialisme. Une Suisse impliquée runs through11 October 2026.