Content
Genre/Subject Matter:

This full-length seated portrait shows five pilgrims from Korintji (Koerintji) in Indonesia and a sixth man described as a sheikh who comes from Korintji. They sit or squat face forward, looking towards the camera.

From right to left the men wear: a white thawb and white skull cap; a pale-coloured shirt, checked trousers and white turban; white thawb and turban; dark jacket, white button-up shirt, checked turban and a ring on the little finger of his right hand; white thawb , turban and a ring on the little finger of his right hand; white shirt under a striped waistcoat, white trousers, hat and a ring on the little finger of his right hand. All five men at the front hold pieces of paper in their hands while the man second from right holds a cloth in this left hand.

The men are photographed in a courtyard-like space with plants – some in wide wooden pots – foliage and a window, fronted by bars, visible in the background.

The negative has had hand-work applied, causing it to take on a soft-shaded paint-like quality in places.

Inscriptions:

Printed above image, in ink:

XXXIV

Printed beneath image, in ink:

‘Pilger aus Korintji (Sumلtra); der hinter ihnen sitzende Schēch stammt auch aus Korintji.’

A circular 'British Museum' blind stamp is located in the lower left corner.

Extent and format
1 collotype print
Physical characteristics
Dimensions:

187 x 246 mm

Format:

1 collotype print

Condition:

The print is in good condition.

Foliation:

‘XXXIV’

Written in
German in Latin script

حجّاح من إندونيسيا

Content
Genre/Subject Matter:

This full-length seated portrait shows thirteen pilgrims from Mandaïling, Indonesia. They squat face forward, looking towards the camera.

All the men wear white or patterned turbans, except for the man at far right who wears a skull cap. They also all wear white shirts, thawbs or dark jackets, trousers and sandals. Two of the men (third and sixth from left) wear checked or patterned shawls. All eight men whose hands are visible hold piece of folded paper or scrolls.

The men are photographed in a courtyard-like space with plants – some in wide wooden pots – foliage and a window, fronted by bars, visible in the background.

The negative has had hand-work applied, causing it to take on a soft-shaded paint-like quality in places.

Inscriptions:

Printed above image, in ink:

XXXV

Printed beneath image, in ink:

‘Pilger aus Mandaïling (Sumلtra).’

A circular 'British Museum' blind stamp is located in the lower left corner.

Extent and format
1 collotype print
Physical characteristics
Dimensions:

179 x 250 mm

Format:

1 collotype print

Condition:

The print is in good condition.

Foliation:

‘XXXV’

Written in
German in Latin script

Content
Genre/Subject Matter:

This full-length portrait shows four pilgrims from Aceh, Indonesia with two ‘wakeels’, presumably the men standing in the background. They all face forward, looking towards the camera.

The man on the right wears a white open shirt, dark-coloured trousers, sandals and a dark coloured fez-like hat. The standing man second from right wears a white turban and thawb with a sash at his waist, a mid-coloured waistcoat and a shawl slung over his left shoulder. The seated man third from right wears a striped waistcoat over a white thawb , checked trousers and a white shawl slung over his left shoulder. The seated man third from left wears a white shirt, dark-coloured trousers and a white turban. The standing man second from left wears a white thawb , turban and patterned waistcoat. The man at left wears a white thawb , dark-coloured waistcoat, checked shawl and mid-coloured turban.

The men are photographed in a courtyard-like space with plants – some in wide wooden pots and barrels – foliage and a window, fronted by bars, visible in the background.

The negative has had hand-work applied, causing it to take on a soft-shaded paint-like quality in places.

Inscriptions:

Printed above image, in ink:

XXXVI

Printed beneath image, in ink:

‘Pilger aus Gross-Atjeh mit zwei „Wakil’s.“’

A circular 'British Museum' blind stamp is located in the lower left corner.

Extent and format
1 collotype print
Physical characteristics
Dimensions:

188 x 235 mm

Format:

1 collotype print

Condition:

The print is in good condition.

Foliation:

‘XXXVI’

Written in
German in Latin script

رسومات لأدوات وأواني شاع استعمالها في المجتمع المكي آنذاك، الرسومات مقتبسة من الصور السابقة

Content
Genre/Subject Matter:

This lithographic print shows objects and utensils in common use in Mecca. The items are drawn from the collection of Christiaan Snouck Hugronje and the illustration was printed by Pieter Willem Marinus Trap, the lithographic printer of the journal Internationales Archiv für Ethnographie .

The objects are itemised in the list of plates at the beginning of the volume. Each object is identified by a number, which refers to elements in this list. The information in square brackets has been taken from a contemporaneous essay by Snouck Hurgronje entitled ‘Ethnographisches aus Mekka’, which was published in Internationales Archiv für Ethnographie , Vol. I, Leiden, 1888.

They are as follows:

1 Ghèllājah (Wasserkrug) [Water pitcher. Made of grey, porous clay with handle and spout; wooden lid. The decoration consists of teeth-like elevations and incised dashes. The vessel is filled from a large, clay barrel, which contains the water reserved for household needs, so that an amount of cool drinking water is always available. From this vessel one pours the water into smaller pitchers and from the latter into drinking vessels. Instead of lids, one probably places a thin white cloth, for the purpose of filtering the poured water.]

2 Dōraq (Krug für Zemzemwasser) [Pitcher for Zemzemwater, made of ‘grey porous clay’, with handle. ‘In the mouth of the jug is a plug made of tree fibres, the same type used as a sponge with which to wash the body; here the material is used to filter the holy water. Hundreds of full Dauraqs are to be found around the mosque and those who serve the Zemzem water pour the water from such pitchers for their customers.’]

3, 5, 6 Schèrbah’s (Wasserkrüge) [Vase-shaped pitcher with earthenware cover. Apart from its use as a water pitcher, this vessel is used especially during the months of Ramadan in mosques at the end of a period of fasting. It is also placed before visitors to the mosque alongside a jug of Zemzem water and contains chilled water, into which fruits, especially Mulberries, are placed, so that the water tastes the same.]

4 Ibrīq (Wasserkanne für Ablutionen) [Made of grey, porous clay. Ribs around the bell. Handle and spout. The Ibrīq is filled with water and used for the purpose of ritual washing and cleaning after performing natural needs. The Ibrīq is sometimes also made used for washing the hands after eating, for which most often a copper Ibrīq and bowl are used.]

7 Qullah (Wasserkrug) [Vase-shaped water-pitcher. Made of similar material to the Ibrīq (grey, porous clay), decoration similar to that found on the Ghèllājah ; also, on the neck and on the upper half of the walls of the bell, oblique and vertical deep incisions. Wooden lid.]

8 Rub’ī (Wasserkrug ; die Form gilt als specifisch mekkanisch) [Vase-shaped water-pitcher with two opposing handles at the junction between the neck and the bell. Wooden lid, which ends in a long, round spigot that fits into the neck of the pitcher.]

9 Kānūn (Kohlenfass aus Thon; dient als tragbarer Ofen) [Coal-barrel, made from red clay on three, even legs, that join at a bowl-shaped, round foot. The exterior is painted in various colours but not glazed. The shape on the whole is irregular. These and similar vessels serves as portable stoves for cooking food outside the actual kitchen, where brick kilns are used.]

10 Mènqèl (irdenes Becken zum Vorbrennen von wohlriechendem Holz) [Cup-shaped, earthenware basins. The round base is hollowed out from below, the sides painted in different colours, though not glazed. Used for burning grafrant wood, such as aloe or for smoking the Qafal that is used for drinking water; one holds the empty drinking jug upside over it before filling. Clothes or even the whole body can be smoked over it.]

11, 12 Schèrbah’s (Kaffeekrüge der Beduinen) [Bedouin coffee pitcher. With a wide base, high, narrow neck and handle. Material: reddish clay, coloured on the outside reddish-brown, though not glazed with ornamentation in blackish grey-brown colour. Neck-opening with spout.]

13 Findjān (Kafeenنpfchen der Beduinen) [Bedouin coffee saucer. Of yellowish clay with greenish glaze. Similar vessels larger in size serve as butter dishes.]

14, 15 Muschṯ ẖaqq èr - ridjāl und M. ẖaqq el-ẖarīm (Mنnner- und Frauenkamm) [Man’s comb. The top edge with transverse grooves. The material is sold under the name of ‘sandalwood’. Woman’s comb. On each side there is a hole for the fingers. Grooved pattern along the middle of the comb. The material is sold as aloe wood, but is usually only perfumed.]

16 Medakk (hِlzernes Einziehestنbchen, womit die Dikkeh in die Koulisse der Beinkleider gebracht wird) [Wooden feeding-stick. Painted in bright colours with a hole at the upper end. The ‘ Dikkèh ’ (the [waist-]band with which the trousers are pulled together at the middle of the body and fastened) is threaded through this hole and in this way the ‘ Dikkèh ’ is in turn threaded into the Koulisse (Bêt èd-dikkèh) or sliding seam.]

17 Mibcharah (Weihrauchbecken) [Made from brass with a lid, which pivots from a hinge on the handle itself. The lid has six round holes. The base is hollowed out. Such vessels with burning incense are held up for the departing guests with which to smoke the hands upon bidding farewell. ]

18 Merassch (Vase zum Besprengen mit Rosenwasser) [Vase made of frosted glass (Bohemian in style) with long, thin neck and decorated with gold. In the mouth of the vase is a glass pipe which is secured by means of a screw thread. Used for sprinkling departing guests with rosewater.]

19 Qèdaẖ (hِlzerne Trinkschale) [Drinking bowl of brown wood. Decoration consists of pins of soft, white metal driven into [the outside]. Near to the edge a row of brass pins with large, round heads, such as those found in the centre of the base on the inside. Meccans drink out of such bowls often, in so far as they don’t pay homage to the ‘new style’ of glass dishes.]

The number ‘19’ appears erroneously adjacent to two of the objects, at right and left, while ‘9’ is omitted. A note at the foot of the itemised list of plates explains that the ‘19’ on the left is an error and should refer to number ‘9’.

Inscriptions:

Printed above image, in ink:

XXXVII

Printed beneath image, in ink:

Lower right corner: ‘ex. coll. auct.’

Lower left corner: ‘P.W.M. Trap exc.’

Extent and format
1 lithographic print
Physical characteristics
Dimensions:

250 x 200 mm

Format:

1 lithographic print

Condition:

The print is in good condition.

Foliation:

‘XXXVII’

Written in
German in Latin script

Content
Genre/Subject Matter:

This lithographic print shows objects and utensils in common use in Mecca. The items are drawn from the collection of Christiaan Snouck Hugronje and the illustration was printed by Pieter Willem Marinus Trap, the lithographic printer of the journal Internationales Archiv für Ethnographie .

The objects are itemised in the list of plates at the beginning of the volume. Each object is identified by a number, which refers to elements in this list. The information in square brackets has been taken from a contemporaneous essay by Snouck Hurgronje entitled ‘Ethnographisches aus Mekka’, which was published in Internationales Archiv für Ethnographie , Vol. I, Leiden, 1888.

They are as follows:

1 Zèmbil (Marktkِrbchen) [Market basket. Zigzag-shaped wickerwork palm leaf strips with two handles opposite one another at the centre of the edge, which is secured with braided black wool. These baskets are to be found in various sizes, the larger ones usually have a flat base.]

2 Mèknasah (Teppichbesen aus Palmblنttern) [Carpet brush; this two-sided bristles of palm leaf are bent towards each other and bound together so that the bristles the brush and the middle-ribbing form the handle.]

3 Mekkabbah (Deckel für Schüsseln oder teller, die, mit Speisen gefüllt, von Haus zu Haus oder in die Moschee getragen warden) [Hat-shaped cover. The spiralling wicker-work of palm leaf strips are braided over a thin hoop. Strips of different coloured wool are drawn through the wickerwork near the edge of to form a fringe-like embellishment. In addition, short, narrow strips of silk and wool are affixed by sewing them on near the edge. ‘Would be used to cover a bowl or metal plate when one wants to send such a vessel, filled with food, to friends or neighbours, for example because one cannot accept an invitation to dinner.’]

4 Quffah (Kِrbchen zum Mitnehmen von Speisen) [Cylinder-shaped basket with a covering lid that is attached by means of a cord threaded through two opposite points. Zigzag-shaped wickerwork of palm leaf strips into which short tassels of variously-coloured wool are worked in as embellishment. Children take such baskets of food to school. They also serve to carry dates, bread and the like, which are taken to mosques by the faithful for evening worship during the fasting month to enjoy after sunset as the first refreshment.]

5, 5a Mèrwaẖaj (aus Palmblنttstreifen geflochtener Fنcher) [Four-sided fan; zigzag-shaped wickerwork of narrow palm leaf strips. As a handle the stem of a palm leaf. The embellishments are formed of squares of numerous, convening holes, irregular six or four-sided in shape.]

6 Qubqāb (hِlzerner Stelzschuh, in dieser Form von Weibern getragen) [Wooden sandal with flower-deocration in red, yellow and silver and a row of bisected yellow diamonds along the central axis, on a green background. This form of shoe is worn primarily by women, un-coloured Qubqābs are made use of by both sexes in the bathroom (and privy); because going barefoot is not recommended but leather footwear would be damaged by the running water.]

7 Madās mèkkāwi (mekkanische Sandale) [Mekkan Sandal, the upper side is decorated by rows of gold and silver thread tracery in rows across the transverse strap and yellow, red and green leather straps. Tiny green leather strips wind around the upper end of the peg that rests between the toes. Flaps of black, green, reddish and yellowish wool are attached to the middle of a second, adjacent strap. The name is only used by convention; no less frequently is the Madās mèdèni worn. Perhaps the origin of the form survives in the name.]

8 Madās mèdèni (medinensische Sandale; nicht weniger als die vorhergehende Form in Mekka getragen) [Medina Sandal. Almost identical to the previous, except with only one transverse strap with half-heart shaped flaps of variously-coloured wool fabric at the middle of the upper side. The leather peg is [decorated] as in the previous type. The inner part of the upper side of the sole is sewn with golden strips at the front edge. As to the meaning of the name, see above.]

9, 10 Kursī’s (Tischchen zum Daraufstellen grosser metallener Teller mit Speisen) [Octagonal table: at each corner the table top meets one of the columnar legs of the table. Below the table top column-like bars at an angle as well as knobs form a grill. Lengths of semi-oval slat are attached to the table top itself, along each edge. The legs, the latticework and the slats are painted in various bright colours, the brown-wooden sheet is unpainted. A large metal plate is places onto such a table; food (e.g. rice with meat) is either directly placed onto it, or in various dishes. Such tables serve also serve to display beautiful copper objects (e.g. cans, Jassen) as showpieces.Rectangular table: a portion of the upper end of the four pillar-shaped legs are painted in various bright colours (marbled), the grill consists simply of vertical columns. Otherwise, apart from in form, identical with the above.]

11, 12 Raẖl’s (Lesepulte, resp. aus Holz und aus Palmblattstielen; vorzüglich zu Uebungen im Qurānrecitieren gebraucht) [Lectern of brown wood; both the feet and the desk are formed of a piece each, which are movable due to the hinge at the mid-point of their length. The feet are carved up-to-date, the outer sides of the lectern with carving in base-relief. Used namely by boys learning to recite the Qur’an. Lectern made of palm leaf stalks; the crossbars are inserted through holes in the long bars.]

13 Qalaç (lederne Mنklertasche zum Aufnehmen kleiner, dem Dèllāl zum Verkauf übergebener Gegenstنnde) [Leather trader’s bag. The exterior is decorated with many leather strips, which are brought together to form tassels and cords, and are decorated with strung beads of white metal. At the upper edge of the bag, six leather loops, through which a belt passes, by means of which the bag is closed. In actual fact, for the dealer, who is connected with practically every type of sale, such a bag serves to store small items (jewellery etc.) entrusted to the trader to sell; even when the bag is empty, the trader wears the bag over his shoulder, as a sort of attribute of his trade.]

Inscriptions:

Printed above image, in ink:

XXXVIII

Printed beneath image, in ink:

Lower right corner: ‘ex. coll. auct.’

Lower left corner: ‘P.W.M. Trap exc.’

Extent and format
1 lithographic print
Physical characteristics
Dimensions:

250 x 200 mm

Format:

1 lithographic print

Condition:

The print is in good condition.

Foliation:

‘XXXVIII’

Written in
German in Latin script

Content
Genre/Subject Matter:

This lithographic print shows objects and utensils in common use in Mecca. The items are drawn from the collection of Christiaan Snouck Hugronje and the illustration was printed by Pieter Willem Marinus Trap, the lithographic printer of the journal Internationales Archiv für Ethnographie .

The objects are itemised in the list of plates at the beginning of the volume. Each object is identified by a number, which refers to elements in this list. The information in square brackets has been taken from a contemporaneous essay by Snouck Hurgronje entitled ‘Ethnographisches aus Mekka’, which was published in Internationales Archiv für Ethnographie , Vol. I, Leiden, 1888.

They are as follows:

1, 2 Schèrbah’s (hِlzerne Wasserkrüge) [Wooden, vase-shaped pitcher with lid. The outside is painted in bright colours; the individual colour-bands are interspersed with decorative bands of yellow. The the majority of the decoration is formed by removing the varnish in the form of the intended design, forming a kind of incised decoration. The wide neck is painted green. As regards use, [cf. 1781.b.6/72] the same use for the wooden as for the clay pitchers apples. Note: the wood is actually more than decorative; for that very reason, because they do not cool the water, they are less useful. [Example 2:] Similar to the previous. The bell is larger the inner side of the neck painted red. The decorated is produced in the same way.]

3, 4 Barrādijjeh’s (hِlzerne Wasserkrüge) [Wooden water pitcher, only slightly narrowing from base to lid, with a very gentle contraction beneath the rim of the opening. Inside the neck a sieve-like sheet in the centre of which a large six-pointed star is cut out. The lid finds its centre in a tall knob, from whose tip and in a ring thereabouts wooden beads are attached to helical springs. Decoration is as in the previous. [Example 4:] Similar to the previous. On the inside of the neck there is a sieve-like punctuated wooden disc attached. Wooden objects such as this are beginning to be discussed, and similarly painted items have been received by the Ethnographic Imperial Museum from Calcutta. The decorations, however, are not incised but rather painted with colours. Extending from the edges, with partly round, partly star-shaped holes. The upper side of the sieve and the inner part of the neck that lies over it are painted red, as well as the concave underside of the lid.]

5 H̱uqq (hِlzerne Dose zur Aufbewahrung kleiner Gegenstنnde) [Wooden box with lid whose lower edge is wider than walls of the box. The interior of the boc and the lid are painted a dirty light green. For the safekeeping of small objects of various kinds.]

6 Kās oder Kāsah (Trinkbecher) [Wooden drinking cup with tapering wall, from top to bottom. Base and inner side red, the external sides various colours, with metallic reflex. Used for drinking water or Sherbet. ]

7 H̱uqq (hِlzerne Dose) [Spherical box with colourful marbled markings, which are distributed thoughout fields between red and purple coloured bands, which run across the sphere. Although the centre of the belt, a bat-shaped decoration, produced by the scraping away of a portion of the paint. The box opens in the middle.

8 Qaçabah (hِlzernes Gestell zur Aufnahme eines Wasserkruges) [Wooden frame, used for holding a water pitcher. Between three, diagonally tapering, pillar-like legs, which narrow towards one another at the top, at the base a wooden lattice-work consisting of small knobs and buttons attached between parallel crossbars. Wooden acorns hang from the lower crossbars. On the inner side of the lattice-work a wooden ball is formed, into which a pitcher would rest, when placed there. The upper ends of the legs are attached into holes in the clay underside of the barrel-shaped head, which, at the top, forms into a vase-shape. On the lower edge of the head, are six wooden knobs. Between each pair of legs is a pillar-shaped rod with knob-like protrusions to the right and left of the middle of its length, and with a wooden acorn hanging from the lower end. In the middle of the upper end of the head is an iron eyelet onto which an iron ring and iron hook are attached, by which means the rack is hung onto the wall of a room. Painting etc. can be seen in the illustration. Racks that serve the same purpose, called mirfa’ are placed on the ground and are usually four-footed.]

Inscriptions:

Printed above image, in ink:

XXXIX

Printed beneath image, in ink:

Lower right corner: ‘ex. coll. auct.’

Lower left corner: ‘P.W.M. Trap exc.’

Extent and format
1 lithographic print
Physical characteristics
Dimensions:

250 x 198 mm

Format:

1 lithographic print

Condition:

The print is in good condition.

Foliation:

‘XXXIX’

Written in
German in Latin script

Content
Genre/Subject Matter:

This lithographic print shows objects and utensils in common use in Mecca. The items are drawn from the collection of Christiaan Snouck Hugronje and the illustration was printed by Pieter Willem Marinus Trap, the lithographic printer of the journal Internationales Archiv für Ethnographie .

The objects are itemised in the list of plates at the beginning of the volume. Each object is identified by a number, which refers to elements in this list. The information in square brackets has been taken from a contemporaneous essay by Snouck Hurgronje entitled ‘Ethnographisches aus Mekka’, which was published in Internationales Archiv für Ethnographie , Vol. I, Leiden, 1888.

They are as follows:

1 Schèrbah (hِlzerner Wasserkrug) [Wooden water pitcher, vase-shaped; the interior of the neck opening red.]

2 Rub’ī (hِlzerner Wasserkrug) [Wooden water pitcher, vase-shaped; with narrow neck that is less than half as narrow as the above and the interior is red. Bell with metallic reflex.]

3 Mèschrab (hِlzerner Becher mit Untersatz und Deckel) [Wooden vessel with stand and lid. Interior of the lid and the bowl, as well as the underside of the base painted red. Exterior green marbled. Decoration incised by the same method described previously [cf. 1781.b.6/74]. Used for drinking Sherbet.]

4 H̱uqq (Dose mit Deckel) [Wooden box with lid, whose lower edge protrudes over the walls of the box. The interior of the box and lid are painted a dirty light green. Used for keeping small objects of different kinds.]

5 Ṯasah oder Mèschrab (hِlzerne Trinkschale) [Wooden drinking cup. Inner side light gray green, the border coloured yellow. Exterior bluw with yellow decorations as described previously [cf. 1781.b.6/74] and two red bands.]

6, 7 Findjān und Ẕarf (hِlzerne Kaffeetasse und becherfِrmige, dazu gehِrende Untertasse) [ Findjān : Bedouin coffee saucer. Of yellowish clay with greenish glaze. Similar vessels larger in size serve as butter dishes. Ẕarf : Coffee cup, light brown wooden saucer, for holding a coffee cup [7] of the same material. The exterior of each well polished.]

8 Kātah (kleiner Becher mit Deckel) [Cup with lid of brown, polished wood in the form of a flass. The edges of the cup are edged by a narrow yellow-line. The material is thought to be Aloe wood.]

9 Mèschrab (messingene Trinkschüssel; in der Mitte einer Art Pfeiler, von dessen Rande einige messingene Amulete herabhنngen) [Brass bowl. From the centre a kind of column rises so that a second, smaller bowl rotates, on the edge of which many small bits of brass (amnulets) hang down. On the inner side of the bowl are engraved characters. Similar in form, (without the amulets) are the cups from which one may drink Zemzem water at the mosque.]

10 Schīschah (Wasserpfeife) [Waterpipe consisting of a brass tripod onto which a coconut rests, from which a brass-studded pipe leans out to one side and serves to receive the hose. The coconut is mounted with brass at both ends; the lower end is an upturned cone-shaped tip with a thick knob at the end. With this the pipe rests onto the footpiece. The upper part of the brass coconut, which is connected to the lower part by vertical strips of brass that extend over the wooden, brass-studded tube, out of whose upper end the black,-glazed earthenware head of the pipe is inserted. The hose is made of leather, over which thin copper wire is woven and then covered with wood. To connect the pipe a black, painted wooden tube is secured at one end while the other holds the wooden, mouthpiece.]

11 Elf Amulete aus vergoldetem Silber

a vier (buchfِrmige) Chatmah’s zur Aufnahme von Qurānsprüchen usw.

b zwei Heikal’s

c zwei Lōẖ’s mit Sprüchen

e ein Ischm , zur Aufnahme eines Edelsteines

[Eleven silver plated amulets on a silver-gilt chain, wherein eyelets are to be found on the upper edge while small bells hang. There are four instances of two identical shapes, so that in total seven different forms are represented as follows:

a four in the in the form of a book with a cover ( Chatmah ), actually intended to reveal quotations from the Qur’an

b two in roll-form with rounded ends, one of which with a cover

c two shield-shaped, one side almost entirely covered with characters

d two half-moons, also covered with characters

e an oval container ( Ischm ), surely intended to carry gemstones

Such chains with amulets are usually worn by children, especially during holidays.]

12 Subẖah (Rosenkranz aus Perlmutter) [Prayer beads with 100 pea-sized beads of mother of pearl, strung on a silken cord. The division of 2 x 33 and 1 x 34 pearls is achieved by inserting forward-projecting, elongated four-sided pieces of mother of pearl ( imām ). At the lower end the handle, a columnar peace of mother of pearl.]

Inscriptions:

Printed above image, in ink:

XL

Printed beneath image, in ink:

Lower right corner: ‘ex. coll. auct.’

Lower left corner: ‘P.W.M. Trap exc.’

Extent and format
1 lithographic print
Physical characteristics
Dimensions:

250 x 198 mm

Format:

1 lithographic print

Condition:

The print is in good condition.

Foliation:

‘XL’

Written in
German in Latin script

صورة المسجد الحرام أثناء الصلاة

Content
Genre/Subject Matter

This image shows a roughly due south facing view inside the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca during the Çalāt (prayers) and should be compared to Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje’s description of the Çalāt in volume II (1889) of his publication Mekka , p. 88:

‘[…] according to custom, the Imam chooses an extract from the Qur’an to be read during the Çalāt, which is accompanied by prostration; the solemnity is increased due to the fact that the ‘standing’ position of the congregation, which accompanies recitation during the Çalāt, is interrupted in a moment by an extraordinary prostration.’

The image should also be compared with the print from a photograph of a similar view (1781.b.6/2) published in Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje’s 1888 publication Bilder-Atlas zu Mekka .

Also in view are: the Caaba; Gate of the Banī Shaybah; Building housing the Zamzam well; Stairs to the Caaba; Maqām Ibrahīm , which is also the Maqām el-Schāfi’ī’ ; Minbar; Maqām al-Mālikī ; outside of the Masjid al-Haram, the front-side of the Hamidiyah (likely a building constructed during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II) is visible; and a fortified structure known as ‘Jiyad Castle’, on the low hill in the background on the left.There are also several Ottoman-era buildings featuring intricate tile or brickwork visible outside the mosque.

A large number of pilgrims, the majority of which are men, are shown standing and facing the Caaba.

Arabic script written directly into the image has been erased subtly, but is visible upon close inspection in the lower centre of the image as well as in the central sky area of the image.

Inscriptions

Above image, on right, in ink: ‘I’

Lower centre and upper centre: illegible, partially erased Arabic script

Temporal Context:

Since the shadows beneath the feet of the pilgrims are not very deep and are angled fractionally to the east, it is likely the photograph was taken soon after midday.

According to Durkje van der Wal in his publication Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885 (Amsterdam : Manfred & Hanna Heiting Fund, Rijksmuseum, 2011, pp. 42-51), the photographs in this publication that pertain to the hadj (this image included) likely date to August 1888 since this was the period of the last hadj before February 1889, the date Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje received the final consignment of images.

Extent and format
1 collotype print
Physical characteristics
Dimensions:

184 x 236 mm

Format:

Collotype print, pasted into volume

Condition:

The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions, though no surface losses in the lower right of centre.

Foliation:

‘I’

Process:

Collotype

Written in
Arabic in Arabic script

مكة

Content
Genre/Subject Matter

This image shows a view over the city of Mecca from an elevated position east of the Masjid al-Haram, or Grand Mosque. Parts of the city due south of the mosque are visible in the middle ground. (Compare, for example, X463/1.)

In the left of the image on the horizon, the fortified structure known as ‘Jiyad Castle’ is visible. The large building on the right is identified in the title as the ‘Hamidiyah’, a two-storey building which is described in the title of a photograph in Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje’s earlier publication of 1888, Bilder-Atlas zu Mekka (1781.b.6/4) as a government building built by Governor General Othman Pascha. This was likely constructed during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II (1876–1909) and was therefore relatively new.

The two-storey pale-coloured building to the left of this is identified as the ‘printing house’ (cf. X463/6).

Derelict or semi-derelict structures make up the foreground while hills rise in the background.

This is the first of four photographs taken from the same vantage point, which form a panoramic view over the city of Mecca. The second, third and fourth are X463/3, X463/4 and X463/5 respectively.

Inscriptions

Above image, on the right, in ink: ‘II’

Lower centre and upper centre: Illegible, partially erased Arabic script

Extent and format
1 collotype print
Physical characteristics
Dimensions:

190 x 243 mm

Format:

Collotype print, pasted into volume

Condition:

The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions, though no surface losses in the lower right of centre.

Foliation:

‘II’

Process:

Collotype

Written in
Arabic in Arabic script

Content
Genre/Subject Matter

This image shows the Caaba and Sanctuary at Mecca from an elevated position due east of the Masjid al-Haram, or Grand Mosque. Parts of the northwest and southwest of the city of Mecca are visible in the middleground. (Compare, for example, ‘Picture of the City of Mecca the Great’ Photo 174/3 from almost the same vantage point.)

Due to the relatively slow shutter speed used by the photographer, the movement of the pilgrims performing tawaf – the ritual of circumambulation of the Caaba seven times in a counter-clockwise direction during the hadj or umrah, starting from the black stone – is captured here as indistinct blurring of the figures closest to the Caaba on the left. There is a range of activity occurring through the mostly empty expanse around the Caaba. White, straight lines to the right and left of the Caaba as well as some activity near the cloisters on the right may indicate some form of construction work underway.

A large two-storey building is situated immediately below the horizon on the foothills of the northern ridge.

In the immediate foreground a wall or parapet is out of focus. Derelict or semi-derelict structures make up the lower left foreground while hills rise in the background.

This is the second of four photographs taken from the same vantage point, which form a panoramic view over the city of Mecca. The first, third and fourth are X463/2, X463/4 and X463/5 respectively.

The negative has had hand-work applied, creating a drawing-like quality.

Inscriptions

Above image, on the right, in ink: ‘III’

Lower centre and upper centre: Illegible, partially erased Arabic script

Extent and format
1 collotype print
Physical characteristics
Dimensions:

186 x 240 mm

Format:

Collotype print, pasted into volume

Condition:

The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions, though no surface losses in the lower right of centre.

Foliation:

‘III’

Process:

Collotype

Written in
Arabic in Arabic script