Maimoon Palace Environment and
Archeological View Points and Architectural Aspects
Archeological Points of View and Architectural Aspects
Maimoon Palace was built by Captain TH. Van ERP, who was an architect working for the KNIL army. It cost F.I. 100,000 to build. The designs reflecting the traditional Malay, and Islamic Indian palaces stretch along the from of the two storeyed building. The carved objects have various styles, especially in the Sri's Royal Hall.
Traditional Malay carvings can be seen on the "Pagar Tringgalum" (Tringgalum Fence). The top edges are famous for its "Pucuk Rebung". The upper wall is like "Awan Boyan", the ceilings show an Indian cubism style.
The new throne was built during Sultan Amaluddin Sani Perkasa Alanisyah's regime. The painting describes that Ma'mun Al Rasyid had a different throne. Now, the throne has Foliage Carvings and Malay-carved flowers, "Bunga Tembakau"(Tobacco flowers), an "Awan Boyan" carving at the top front, and a round sunflower at the top left and right sides.
Based on the Dutch and Malay scripts written on the marble in both ends of the upward ladders, it is understood that the laying down of the cornerstone was done on 26 August 1888 by Sultan Ma'mun Al Rasyid Perkasa Alamsyah and that it was first occupied on 18 May 1891.
Therefore, the palace is more than 100 years. However, archeologically, it is not so old. Moreover, the insights of old artifacts are chronologically relative, especially, if they refer to the Indonesian Archaeological regulation, the monumentie Stbl. No. 238, 1931 especially section I verse 1(a), which clearly states that Maimoon Palace is categorized as an ancient building or monument.
In other words, The law states that it must be protected, maintained and preserved for the next generation because it is more than 50 years old. The Peoples Consultative Assembly's Decree No. IV / MPR / 1978 covering the General National Plans (GBHN) also includes traditional sacred and secular ceremonies that used to be carried out at the Maimoon Palace in the past. These are part of the traditional cultural values which have become characteristic of Indonesia's national personality and identity and reinforces the spirit of national unity.
Although this building is not very old, it is considered to have a lot of architectural elements and historical value. The building has a mixture of architectural elements from Indonesia and abroad such as from Persia, India and Europe.
The unification of these styles is reflected in its ground plan, roof shape, and ornamentation. Although the building consists of three parts, the main building and two wings, if looked at carefully, the ground plan of each part reminds us of the Islamic buildings such as mosques and palaces from the Middle East and India from the past. The middle part of this building, which is square shaped, is usually open just like the old mosques in Middle East and India called "Shan" and its four sides have pictures of roofs giving shade and protection called 'Mugatha' or 'Sutuh'.
The open parts of Maimoon Palace, either in the main building or the wings are covered with a pyramid-shaped roofs making wide rooms. The arcades that surround the rooms reflect the 'Mugatha' or 'Sutuh'. Although they do not have exactly the same construction, the inside part of these arcades have walls with doors and wooden windows. The arcades are either shaped like the keel of a ship, or are more sharply curved. The horseshoe shaped curves reflect the "liwin" or "liwanat" of Moslem art in the Middle East or india.
These arcades in Moslem art are known as Persian arcades. They were used a lot in Turkey, India, and Europe. Therefore it is clear that the front part of Maimoon Palace reminds us about Moslem architecture from the Middle East. Besides the arcade shapes mentioned above, the influence of Middle Eastern Moslem and Indian art can be seen in its domed roof.
Through the arch of the keel shaped roofed corridor, you can get to the back part of the room. It is 94 square meters wide and was usually used for the Sultan's family's wedding ceremonies and Dining Hall. The dinner used to be prepared by servants who were always ready in the small side rooms. They were on the left and right hand sides of the main building. In this room, there are two chairs (the Sultan's thrones) and two European dressing tables.
Besides the floral motif, there is also a prominent geometric motif which is a combination of polygonal ornaments, circles. This motif can also be found on the bars, on the square blinds or the curved blinds and reminds us of wall styles in India. In Indonesia, this style is known as 'terawangan or kerawangan ornamentation', It function as an ornament and as ventilation.
Besides the influence of Moslem art, the influence of European art is also conspicuous at Maimoon Palace. Most of the building materials, such as marble tiles, were imported from Europe, and all the collections ,such as chairs, tables, buffet, and dressing tables were made in Europe.
Although the Indian and European styles are very prominent, the Indonesian style of art is evident in its pyramid roof with overlapping construction. Considered from its arcoctagonal ornaments and hitectural aspect. Maimoon Palace is very valuable as part of the history of Moslem art in Indonesia.
Abu Bakar from Aceh said that the Grand Mosque which is located in front of Maimoon Palace, is the only mosque that represents Indonesian Moslem art, and Maimoon Palace is the only building which represents Indonesian Moslem art in general together with its relation to the Middle East and Indian art.
The pattern of the layout of Maimoon Palace which faces the Grand Mosque (the Grand Mosque is part of Maimoon Palace complex) has the same layout as other ancient Indonesian palaces. There used to be a square between Maimoon Palace and the Grand Mosque. Therefore, either from its archeological or architecthral aspects, Maimoon Palace must be protected, maintained and even preserved so that the next generation does not lose the data from which they can reconstruct the past.
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