Retired VOC Officials Often Sell Used Clothes

The luxury life of VOC officials is complete with slaves accompanying them in the painting. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - Dutch trading airline officials, VOC often live comfortably in the archipelago. They live like the King of Java. He adopted all kinds of luxurious living components. From expensive clothes to gedong houses. Everything is to maintain the prestige between Company officials.

However, this luxurious lifestyle was unable to make them live. Most officials want to retire in their hometown: the Netherlands. They are also willing to sell all of their wealth components in cash. Used clothes, especially.

In terms of luxury living, VOC officials are good. Their live performance was perpetuated because they were inspired by the life of the Javanese King. They feel equal to celebrities in the archipelago. This is because the Company's agents are considered capable of producing high income. Even though the official salary of the Company official is small.

The income he got was none other than corruption activities that were perpetuated. This activity made the VOC as a trading airline lose money. The lives of Company officials are the opposite. They are able to live a prosperous and wealthy life.

In fact, no one can interfere with the corrupt behavior of the Company's officials. Anyone who tries to be a hero of anxiety and interferes with the existence of corruption of the Company's officials, will surely be removed.

The freedom to collect assets makes a series of VOC officials live luxuriously freely. This luxurious lifestyle is perpetuated at every opportunity. From wedding parties to funerals. The VOC officials show off everything. Some show off the horse train, slaves, clothes, and jewelry used.

The behavior of the Company official is proof that Nusantara is like a country that promises a lot of wealth. Because, anyone who has a career at the VOC can have the opportunity to win high positions. Especially if they have strong relations and blood from the families of officials.

The top VOC officials live like high-ranking Javanese aristocrats in classy style. Accompanied by servants and sahaya, equipped with a luxury house with a largerangan and escort accompaniment, and traveling under the escort of a number of servants and guards. All at the expense of the residents, especially because the trip is always accompanied by competitions, hunting, and welcoming parties.

All of this requires the regents and subordinates to provide a variety of goods and services: lodging, horses, food, drinks, women, and all of them in large numbers. In line with that, there is an open use of nepotism. Promotions can occur without the protection of high-ranking officials, but will run faster if they come from high-ranking circles, especially aristocrates and are supported by connections," explained Jan Breman in the book "Colonial Benefits from Paksa Work (2014).

Life is guaranteed and rich in the archipelago in fact did not make Dutch officials want to retire in the archipelago. Most officials just want to enjoy their old days in the Netherlands. Pun Nusantara is only considered a country of printer of mere money. No more.

It was their desire to retire in their hometown that forced officials to sell all their wealth components in the archipelago. Used luxury clothes, especially. They don't want to bring luggage to go home and luxury clothes in the archipelago don't necessarily fit the European climate. As a result, they just need the mention'.

Retired officials also have two options to sell all the luxury clothes they have. First, they entrust all the luxury clothes they have to a broker. Second, the retired official can take care of everything himself. That is if you have free time.

The activity of selling used clothes belonging to retired officials was then popular. Mainly in Batavia (now: Jakarta). This activity then transformed into the beginning of the Garage sale in the archipelago. The used clothes became hunted. Especially if the clothes are owned by people who have high positions.

His belongings will be a fight for the whole of Batavia. The lopsided prices offered and the reputation of the officials are the cause. Those who managed to buy it were like a collapsed durian. The sale became so popular over time.

An official who wants to conduct an auction of goods will distribute announcement leaflets throughout Batavia. Everything is to attract the attention of the whole of Batavia to come buy. As a result, they can return to their hometowns with a lot of money.

Auction is a way for colonial officials to sell their household goods, when they have to return to the Netherlands or be transferred to other areas. This method has been going on since the end of the 18th century. This method actually continues the existing tradition. Like the slave auction, pachter candu, gambling, and pawned houses.

Officials don't have to bother taking care of their household furniture. This is because there are brokers who take care of their goods for auction. But if they still have time, they can do it themselves. This furniture auction is still running until the early 20th century, as it is still difficult for transportation equipment to transport the transfer of their household needs," said Zeffry Alkatiri in the book Jakarta Has a Way (2012).