JAVA [spine title]. AN ALBUM OF 34 BLACK & WHITE ALBUMEN PHOTOGRAPHS OF TEMPLES AND ARCHITECTURAL IMAGES, ca. 1870s-1890s.

NP: np, nd [ca. 1870s-1890s]. Oblong photo album, 11 x 15.75 in., bound in 3/4 leather and patterned cloth boards. Gilt title on spine. Professional photos laid down on stiff card stock mounted on cloth tape stubs, one photo to a page, recto and verso, each approx. 6.25 x 8.5 in. Most of the photos are captioned or numbered in the negative, several depicting the Borobudur and Prambanan Temples in Java, their buildings and sculptures. Although there are no studio markings on the photos, they are apparently all the work of native Javanese photographer Kassian Cephas (1845-1912). Many of these images can be identified as his work, done for the Dutch Archaelogical Union at the Barabudur [Borobudur] and Prambanan Temples: "Baraboedoer 1872, No. 70"; No. 107 (relief image of several figures surrounding a Buddha); No. 91 (Cephas examining the stupa at Borobudur, likely photographed by his son Sem). All are very good, sharp. Item #70508

Kassian Cephas is considered the first Javanese professional photographer. He had a studio in Yogyakarta and in 1871, was appointed official photographer to the court. According to a finding aid to a collection of Cephas' photos at the Getty Museum, the images were done prior to extensive restorations at the Prambanan site, and the long hidden base of the Borobudur (only rediscovered in 1885) was uncovered briefly in 1890-91 so that it could be photographed with his meticulous attention to detail, and then recovered to await restoration.

Price: $7,500.00