Ambtskostuum van Hendrikus Colijn

H. Colijn's ministerial uniform and sabre. Sabre of silver and ivory, sheath of nickel-plated steel. Hendrikus Colijn (1869-1944) began his career as a soldier in the Dutch East Indies. As a veteran of the 1894 Lombok campaign he was awarded the Militaire Willemsorde. In 1899, following his participation in the Atjeh campaign, he was presented with this honourary sabre. In 1904 he was appointed adjutant to Governor General Van Heutsz. Back in the Netherlands (1909), Colijn entered parliament as an Anti-Revolutionary (1909-1911). He served as minister of war (1911-1913), head of the Bataafsche Petroleum Maatschappij (1914-1922), minister of finance (1923-1925) and prime minister (1925 and 1933-1939). His drastic economic cuts during the Depression met with deep resentment. Although not the original decorations, these are identical to those awarded to Colijn.