WILLIAM ELLIS

Malagasy portraits and occupational studies, 1862-65

Details

WILLIAM ELLIS
Malagasy portraits and occupational studies, 1862-65
Thirty-four albumen prints, sizes from approx. 3½ x 2½ in. to approx. 8½ x 10½ in., the majority untrimmed, five titled in ink on verso Commander in Chief, Water Carrier, Razaka, Ramatoa Marys husband ADC to Commander in Chief, The 2nd. Martyr Robodomanana brother of Rafaralahy, three mounted on card, two of these titled in ink on mounts Christians who went by night to search for the bones of the martyrs and rescue them from the jaws of the dogs and Spinning and weaving cotton lambas. (34)

Provenance

Acquired by the present owner from descendants of William Ellis.

Literature

Peers, The Working of Miracles, no. 24, no. 33 (illus.), no. 44, no. 45 (illus.), no. 49 (illus.), no. 50, no. 54 (illus.), no. 55, no. 57 (a cropped portion of the image illus.); Ellis, Madagascar Revisited, p. 63, p. 339

Lot Essay

Named sitters include the Commander in Chief, Rainilaiarivony, who was appointed Prime Minister on 14 July 1864; his A.D.C., Ramatoa; Andriantsitohaina, the principal Ambassador of the Embassy sent to England and France in 1837, and signatory to the Anglo Malagasy Treaty of June 27, 1865, with Prince Raontsietena; Razay the martyr's child; and Rasoameja (known as Mary) and her husband who was A.D.C. to King Ramada II. Other studies include a uniformed officer of the Royal Palace; a group of Malagasy pastors at Ambatonakanaga church; a sewing class for native children with Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Briggs, a missionary and his wife; two Betsimisaraka from the east coast showing traditional costume and hairstyles; and others, mostly of the Merina from the central highlands of Imerina including women carrying water pots (siny) on their heads, weaving the native outer dress (lamba), suckling babies, and one of three young boys reading and writing.

More from 19TH CENTURY, TOPOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS

View All