Dear Listmembers,

During the 18th and 19th century many of the important positions in the
East India Company and other trade organisations were held by Dutch
freemasons. Lodges were founded in the trading posts in the former
colonies in Japan, Indonesia and India. They were responsible for the
production and export of oriental objects to Europe, including Japanese
lacquer ware with Masonic decorations. The Dutch also exchanged goods
with English and Swedish masons in the area, and traded in Chinese
porcelain decorated with masonic symbols.

A short time ago I’ve started research for a PhD in Art History on the
subject of my research is ‘The Influence of Dutch Freemasons on the
Trade with Asia and its Material Culture, 1734-1853’. I would like to
get into contact with museums, archives, auction houses, lodges and
private collectors, who may have relevant information on Dutch
freemasons in Asia or have oriental objects with Masonic decorations in
their possession.

Ifd you are familiar with Masonic export objects in a collection in
your area, please be so kind as to alert me to them. If you would like
to receive additional information on my research, I will be happy to
provide this for you. Please feel free to forward this email to others.
Thank you in advance for your kind co-operation.

Yours sincerely,

Andréa Kroon.

drs. Andrea A. Kroon

Kroon & Wagtberg Hansen, kunsthistorisch projectmanagement
Thomsonlaan 94
2565 JE Den Haag (NL)
phone/fax: +31 (0)70 3603129
mobile phone: +31 06 22404978
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