Central Panel

Birthday gift for the chief of the Biliton Company. Silver table piece with the inscription: 'Employees and miners of the Biliton Company to their highly respected chief J.Ph. Ermeling on the occasion of his 70th birthday, 21 January 1901'. On the pedestal a portrait of Ermeling and four images of mining work; photos served as models. The woman, Sri Blitung, 'elevated Biliton', symbolizes Biliton, the island where tin is mined. At her feet mining tools and tin ingots. Ermeling joined Biliton in 1879 and shortly afterwards became a representative at the headquarters in Java; he then lived in Buitenzorg. He celebrated his 70th birthday on Biliton.