Collection of the Rietberg Museum Zurich

Sajen · 29th September 2025, 08:59 PM

I was recently in Zurich and visited the Rietberg Museum, which has a truly extensive ethnographic collection. Unfortunately, ethnographic weapons are in the minority and are mostly kept in storage, although this is open to visitors. In addition to a few edged weapons from Indonesia, there are also a few keris there, although they can only be seen in their scabbards. However, they do have a fairly extensive collection of hilts. Here are a few not-so-good photos I'd like to share with you.

Sajen · 29th September 2025, 09:04 PM

A few more! In post #1 is one pic twisted, here it's again correctly shown.

David · 1st October 2025, 07:14 PM

Thanks for showing these. Seems a strange way for a museum to display both the keris and especially the hilts. Simple stands to display all these hilts upright is not a large cost and they would look much better.

Rick · 1st October 2025, 07:27 PM

The mass of hilts probably came from a person who collected only them.

Detlef, are we looking at one shelf of handles or are there two shelves there?

Sajen · 1st October 2025, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Thanks for showing these. Seems a strange way for a museum to display both the keris and especially the hilts. Simple stands to display all these hilts upright is not a large cost and they would look much better.

Hello David,

The "display" is the storage room which is free for visitors. But agree, they would look much better on stands.

Sajen · 1st October 2025, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

The mass of hilts probably came from a person who collected only them.

Detlef, are we looking at one shelf of handles or are there two shelves there?

Hello Rick,

Very good possible, a lot of their objects coming from private collections. There are two shelves.

Regards,
Detlef

Rick · Yesterday, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Rick,

Very good possible, a lot of their objects coming from private collections. There are two shelves.

Regards,
Detlef

Please let me know if they ever have a de-accession sale or auction.

Sajen · Yesterday, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Please let me know if they ever have a de-accession sale or auction.

I would stay in the first row.

29th September 2025, 09:04 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,360	A few more! In post #1 is one pic twisted, here it's again correctly shown. Attached Images

1st October 2025, 07:27 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,369	WoW The mass of hilts probably came from a person who collected only them. Detlef, are we looking at one shelf of handles or are there two shelves there?

29th September 2025, 08:59 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,360	Collection of the Rietberg Museum Zurich I was recently in Zurich and visited the Rietberg Museum, which has a truly extensive ethnographic collection. Unfortunately, ethnographic weapons are in the minority and are mostly kept in storage, although this is open to visitors. In addition to a few edged weapons from Indonesia, there are also a few keris there, although they can only be seen in their scabbards. However, they do have a fairly extensive collection of hilts. Here are a few not-so-good photos I'd like to share with you. Attached Images

1st October 2025, 07:14 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,241	Thanks for showing these. Seems a strange way for a museum to display both the keris and especially the hilts. Simple stands to display all these hilts upright is not a large cost and they would look much better.