Artist Index: Siam

Photographer: Robert Lenz (1864-1929). Views and types of Siam. 1893-1907. 34 albumen and collodion paper prints mounted to gilt-edged album pages (some foxing and signs of previous mounting). Each between 15,5 x 21 cm and 21,5 x 29 cm (25,5 x 33,5 cm). Most numbered in negative, annotated in pencil above image on mount.

Robert Lenz, one of the most prolific photographers based in Southeast Asia during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, opened his Bangkok studio in 1893, quickly gaining renown and securing the coveted role of court photographer for the Siamese royal family. His photographs, distributed as cabinet cards and postcards at the time, vividly documented the region’s architecture, culture, and people, including portraits of Thai royalty, nobility, and everyday citizens, as well as architectural and topographical views. This collection of photographs features landmarks such as Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Saket, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, and Tham Khao Luang cave, alongside scenes of rural life, the royal elephant hunt, and King Rama V in a ceremonial palanquin during a procession. – Some fading, foxing and light surface irregularities, small tear in top right corner of one print, otherwise in good to very good condition.

Lit.: Joachim K. Bautze. Unseen Siam: Early Photography 1860-1910. Bangkok: River Books, 2016. ill., p. 309, pl. 44; p. 313, pl. 59; p. 314, pl. 61; p. 322, pl. 88; p. 324, pl. 94.

Photographer: Emil Eduard Groote (1870-1948). Views of the Ceremonial Reception of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn of Siam (9) on the occasion of his return from his second (1907) trip to Europe and some landscape views. 1907. 15 vintage platinum prints. Most circa 10 x 12,5 cm and 12 x 16 cm.

Apart from depicting a range of bustling canal and river scenes, this rare collection of photographs also features the religious and military reception ceremony held in Bangkok on November 17, 1907, to welcome King Chulalongkorn back from his European journey. The grand procession moved through Rajdamnern Avenue, passing under elaborately constructed arches of honor, with enthusiastic participation from the public, turning the occasion into a joyous and festive celebration. – Some corners bumped, otherwise in good to very good condition with strong contrasts.

Provenance: Estate of Georg Friedrich Wilhelm Rexhausen, Bangkok

Lit.: Joachim K. Bautze. Unseen Siam: Early Photography 1860 - 1910. Bangkok 2016, compare p. 345, plate 9 and 10.

Photographer: Robert Lenz (1864-1939). Views of Siam. 1890-1900. 22 vintage platinum prints. Most circa 28,5 x 22,5 cm. Some with title and number in the negative in lower edge in the negative, most annotated in pencil on the verso.

This extensive collection of views of Siam mostly shows temples, pagodas, gardens in and around Bangkok, the Royal district and other architectural structures, such as the Wat Suthat, Wat Phrah Prang Luang, Wat Phra Keo, Stupa of Nakhon Pathom, Nat Cheng courtyard, Buddha gallery at Wat Poh, Chinese cabinet in Wat Suthat, view of the Khlong Bang Luang and parts of the King's Palace. Also includes images of the Royal Barges, one image of ceremonial Siamese dancers and a group of Siamese youths. – Some corners bumped, some with time-staining in edges, some with slight nicks in edges, otherwise in good to very good condition with strong contrasts.

Lit.: Joachim K. Bautze. Unseen Siam: Early Photography 1860 - 1910. Bangkok 2016, ill. p. 314, plate 63 and other comparable images.

Photographers: Lambert & Co., William Kennett Loftus, Chit & Son and Samuel Bourne. Views of Siam. 1890s. 6 albumen prints. Most circa 28 x 23,5 cm and smaller. All but 1 mounted to board (some foxing).

The views show Pukao Thong (Golden Mount); Klong Ban lam poo; Bangkok; Birma, Shwe Dagon Pagoda; Rangoon; Birma, interior view of a temple, unknown Chinese bonsai garden. – Some fading in edges, a few light surface scuff marks, some with handling creases, otherwise most in good condition.

Lit.: Joachim K. Bautze. Unseen Siam: Early Photography 1860 - 1910. Bangkok 2016. ill. pp. 145, 197, 222.

Photographer unknown. Prince Damrong Rajanubhab (1862-1943), the younger brother of Chulalongkorn. Late 1880s. Woodburytype. 14 x 9,3 cm. Annotated in pencil on the verso.

Edges curled, small crease in upper right corner, otherwise in very good condition.

Lit.: Joachim K. Bautze. Unseen Siam: Early Photography 1860-1910. Bangkok 2016,compare ill. p. 237, plate 2a.

Photographer unknown. The Royal Family of Siam. 1890s. 2 albumen prints. 16,7 x 26,6 cm and 16,7 x 24,7 cm.

These unusual pictures allow a view into the normally inaccessible part of the Royal Palace.
One can see the family with the many wives of the king, who spent their free time in this part of the palace and devoted themselves to their small children. It is also possibly a propagandistic self-representation of the Royal Family.
– Some fading, edges curled, one print with crease and small tear in upper edge, otherwise in good condition.

Photographer: Francis Chit (1830-1891) and Paul Rossier (1829-1886). Portrait of Chulalongkorn with two brothers; Wat Arun seen across the Chao Phraya. 1862-67. 2 albumen prints. 19,8 x 14,4 cm and 14,7 x 20,8 cm. Each flush-mounted to board, sitter's names/locations on printed labels on mount verso.

Some fading, some with writing on verso visible on recto, some foxing spots.

Lit.: Joachim K. Bautze. "From Wat Arun: Photographers in Bangkok in the 1860s" in: Journal of the Siam Society, Vol. 106, 2018 pp. 309 - 313.

Photographer: Paul Rossier (1829-1886). Portrait of King Mongkut (Rama IV) with his wife Queen Debsirindra of Thailand; Wat Sakat with Royal Palace. 1862-67. 2 albumen prints. 19,7 x 14,5 cm and 14,7 x 20,9 cm. Each flush-mounted to board, sitter's names/locations on printed labels on mount verso.

Some fading, some with writing on verso visible on recto, some foxing spots.

Lit.: Joachim K. Bautze. "From Wat Arun: Photographers in Bangkok in the 1860s" in: Journal of the Siam Society, Vol. 106, 2018 pp. 309 - 313.

Robert Lenz (attributed to) and unknown. Views of landscapes, temples and natives of Siam. 1890s. 25 albumen prints. Various sizes, most circa 22 x 28 cm and a few smaller. Most unmounted, some mounted to board.

The images show religious scenes and festivities, daily life, a ceremonial boat, the Royal Palace as well as a theater scene. – Some buckling, creases small tears in edges, otherwise most in very good condition.

Lit.: Joachim K. Bautze. Unseen Siam: Early Photography 1860 - 1910. Bangkok 2016, ill. p. 316, plate 69.

Photographer unknown. Portrait of King Mongkut (Rama IV) surrounded by presents of Queen Victoria. Circa 1860. Albumen print. 17,2 x 23 cm. Mounted to original board with original gilt-frame line, the sitter's name annotated in ink below the image on the mount.

There is only one other extant print of this image in the collection of the Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam. – In very good condition with strong tones.

Lit.: Joachim K. Bautze. Unseen Siam: Early Photography 1860 - 1910. Bangkok 2016, ill. p. 21, pl. 8.