'Mekkanerin im Brautanzug'. Photographer: al-Sayyid ʻAbd al-Ghaffār

1781.b.6/59

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The record is made up of 1 collotype print. It was created in 1887-1888. It was written in German. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

About this record

Content

Genre/Subject Matter:

This full-length seated portrait shows a Meccan woman in bridal attire. She faces forward and looks towards the camera, both her hands held up, palms facing forwards on each side of her body.

The most prominent features of the woman’s attire are her imposing headdress and embroidered bib or collar-like piece, which extends from the neck to a width in excess of the woman’s body and then towards her thighs. The piece appears to be made from twisted and embroidered fabrics as well as chains of coins. Two long plaits extend from her neck downwards across this piece before being woven into longer metal wands, appearing to extend the natural length of the hair. A bell is at the end of each. The woman’s robe is likely made of embroidered silk and she wears two thick anklets about her ankles. Tattooed or painted arches extend from the bridge of her nose upwards along her brow bone and down again to her outer brows.

The woman is seated on a cushion-strewn seat or divan, covered in a monochrome printed fabric, featuring trees and shrubbery. Beading and an overlapping edge is visible on the upright part of the seat.

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:

XXV

Printed beneath image, in ink:

‘Mekkanerin im Brautanzug.'

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

Extent and format
1 collotype print
Physical characteristics

Dimensions:

136 x 98 mm

Format:

1 collotype print

Condition:

The print is in good condition.

Foliation:

‘XXV’

Written in
German in Latin script
Type
Photograph

Archive information for this record

Access & Reference

Original held at
British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.
Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference
1781.b.6/59

History of this record

Date(s)
1887-1888 (CE, Gregorian)

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'Mekkanerin im Brautanzug'. Photographer: al-Sayyid ʻAbd al-Ghaffār, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, 1781.b.6/59, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023619120.0x00000a> [accessed 27 December 2024]

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