Kris Maker in Indonesia ~ Year 1853 ~ Framed

The traditional craft of making kris, or sometimes keris, which is a type of dagger or short sword that is native to Indonesia. Kris makers were often held in high regard and were believed to have special skills and knowledge that allowed them to imbue the weapons with special powers.

Originally published in the year 1853 as a series of hand-finished antique lithograph prints by Auguste van Pers, made after drawings by the French artist, Ernest Hardouin. Auguste van Pers arrived in Indonesia early in 1837 and was employed as an engraver and draughtsman in the General Secretariat at Buitenzorg, known today as Bogor. Ernest Hardouin arrived in Indonesia in 1842 as a decor designer with a French theatrical troupe. In Batavia (modern day Jakarta) Hardouin made numerous sketches and drawings of the city and its inhabitants.

The series was announced as being in preparation in 1844, when some proof plates were printed but the work did not proceed. It was in the year 1853 that the Dutch printing publisher W.C. Mieling picked up the project again and the series came out in sets of 4 lithographs at a time.As originally projected, the complete work would contain 80 plates, a figure that was never reached, and 56 prints are known to exist. Hardouin did not live to see the work published - he died in poverty in Batavia in 1853 or 1854.

Up until the 19th century, just before the invention of photography, the only way to show what people, landscapes and objects looked like was by painting, sketching or printing them. In the Netherlands many prints were published of their far east colonies, or nowadays, Indonesia.

• Size 42.6 by 33.6 cm

• Quality Recycled Art Paper

• Mounted with Thick Art Cardboard

• Wooden Frame an Glass

• Description on the Back

Our framed art prints are printed on recycled uncoated speckled art paper and framed with eco-friendly wood.