'Mitglieder verschiedener Scherifenfamilien in Mekka'. Photographer: Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje

Content

Genre/Subject Matter:

This full length seated portrait shows two men, described in the title as ‘members of various shereef families,' i.e. descendants of Muhammad via his daughter Fatima. They face slightly to the left, looking forward.

The man on the right wears a dark-coloured robe, a pale-coloured, tasselled keffiyeh held in place by a dark-coloured agal and sandals. At his waist a janbiya can be seen emerging from his robes and he wears a ring on his little finger.

The man on the left wears a pale-coloured outer-robe that is heavily embellished, perhaps embroidered, along the lapels over a white robe. On his head he wears a white turban with a dark-coloured cap. He wears polished leather shoes and he, too, wears a janbiya, which emerges from under his robe at the waist.

The negative has had hand-work applied, causing it to take on a soft-shaded quality in places. In particular, the background has been substituted, though the mat on which they are seated remains.

Inscriptions:

Printed above image, in ink:

XVI

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

Extent and format

1 collotype print

It is part of

‘Bilder-Atlas zu Mekka’, by Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje

138 images

Ref: 1781.b.6

Physical characteristics

Dimensions:

127 x 95 mm

Format:

1 collotype print

Condition:

The print is in good condition.

Foliation:

‘XVI’

Written in

German in Latin script

Type

Photograph

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.6/28

History of this record

Date(s)

1888 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Portrait photography

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Cite this record in your research

'Mitglieder verschiedener Scherifenfamilien in Mekka'. Photographer: Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, 1781.b.6/28, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023619120.0x000015> [accessed 27 July 2024]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023619120.0x000015

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