Bilder Pieter Willem Marinus Trap (1821–1905) – Ethnographic Study of Ceremonial Masks from Ceylon – Chromolithograph (1893)

Beskrivning

This ethnographic plate presents nine distinct ceremonial masks from Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka), systematically arranged and numbered. The collection includes a variety of traditional Sanni and Kolam masks, characterized by their vibrant colors and exaggerated features such as bulging eyes, prominent teeth, and dynamic facial expressions. Each mask is meticulously rendered to show the specific details of its construction, including carved animal motifs—such as the cobra depicted on mask number six—and stylized hair or headpieces. These masks were used in ritual healing ceremonies and traditional folk theater to represent different diseases, demons, or mythological characters. This work was published as part of a scholarly series in the Internationales Archiv für Ethnographie to document the material culture of South Asia for a European audience.

Pieter Willem Marinus Trap was a prominent Dutch lithographer and publisher based in Leiden, recognized for his high-quality scientific and ethnographical illustrations. His firm, P.W.M. Trap specialized in chromolithography, a complex process that allowed for the precise and colorful reproduction of cultural artifacts and social scenes. Trap worked closely with academic institutions and journals, such as the Internationales Archiv für Ethnographie, to disseminate geographical and cultural knowledge through detailed visual records. His technical skill ensured that the intricate patterns and specific colors of non-European art forms were accurately preserved for scholarly study during the late 19th century.

Artist or Maker:
Pieter Willem Marinus Trap.

Dimensions:
Approximately 30 cm x 25 cm.

Medium:
Chromolithograph.

Date:
1893.

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.