Refleksi-Refleksi (reflections in Indonesian) reflects historical relationship between Indonesia and the Netherlands. In this exhibition, silver objects chronicle the relationship between Indonesia and the Netherlands. From the first trade connection to the beginning of the Indonesian Republic. It is a shared history in which cultures have influenced one another in terms of language, food, architecture and customs.

The most important trade goods brought from the Indonesian archipelago to the Netherlands included spices, coffee, tea and sugar. This resulted in the production of new objects such as tea canisters, coffee pots, tobacco boxes and nutmeg graters. These products were initially only available to the wealthy upper layer of Dutch society. In Indonesia, Dutch traders tried to maintain good ties with the local monarchs. They delved into customs such as chewing Sirih plums. Both parties gifted one another gold and silver objects. As more people traveled and moved to the archipelago new markets grew. One example was the growing need for travel paraphernalia and home furnishings. Silver manufacturer Van Kempen Begeer & Vos responded to this new market development by opening new stores on Java.

Not everyone viewed the traces left by the Netherlands in Indonesia as positive. Sometimes this led to resistance. A silver spoon can lead to a visitor discovering the story of Surapati and how his life changed from enslaved to that of a freedom fighter. Men who refused to do their compulsory military service in the Indonesian War of Independence after 1945 were imprisoned in the harbor barracks in Schoonhoven. Today this same building houses the Dutch Silver Museum. Visitors are invited to discover the different perspectives on history and consider their own point of view.