Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

Suriname Indigenous People & Tribal Objects - Ethnographic Lithographs 1888

$521.28per set
£385.65per set
€440per setVAT Included
CA$721.48per set
A$724per set
CHF 422.25per set
MX$8,802.98per set
NOK 4,852.03per set
SEK 4,990.07per set
DKK 3,355.02per set

About the Item

Suriname Indigenous People & Tribal Objects Ethnographic Lithographs 1888 This rare and highly evocative three-plate ethnographic set was published in 1888 as part of Karl Martin’s important scientific work Bericht über eine Reise nach Niederländisch West-Indien, issued by the renowned academic publisher E. J. Brill in Leiden. Karl Martin, Professor of Geology at the University of Leiden, documented not only the geological structure of the Dutch West Indies and Dutch Guiana, but also produced one of the most important late 19th-century visual records of indigenous life, material culture, and ceremonial traditions in Suriname. The first plate depicts three indigenous Surinamese individuals shown in full figure, presented with ceremonial weaponry and traditional adornments. Their posture, facial features, necklaces, and garments are rendered with striking realism, reflecting the ethnographic focus of the expedition. The scene provides a rare visual record of traditional identity, status, and tribal roles during the colonial period. More research needed but they are most likely from the following tribes: Trio (Tiriyó) – interior rainforest, Upper Tapanahoni & Sipaliwini Wayana – southern border region with French Guiana Kali'na (Carib) – coastal and lower river areas Lokono (Arawak) – coastal and riverine settlements The second plate presents a series of finely detailed portrait studies showing individual head adornments, necklaces, and body ornamentation. These close studies emphasize the diversity of ceremonial dress and personal decoration. The careful attention to hairstyle, facial expression, and jewelry reflects the scientific aim of documenting cultural identity rather than producing decorative fantasy. The third plate illustrates a remarkable selection of indigenous tribal objects and ritual artifacts, including paddles, ornaments, carved containers, vessels, baskets, tools, musical instruments, and ceremonial implements. Each object is carefully isolated and numbered for academic reference. This plate provides a rare and comprehensive visual inventory of Surinamese material culture at the height of 19th-century colonial-era exploration. Executed in finely detailed lithography with subtle hand tinting in warm sepia and golden tones, these plates balance scientific documentation with strong visual appeal. Together, they form a complete and highly desirable ethnographic ensemble representing people, identity, and objects within one cohesive historical context. Historically, this set belongs to the most important Dutch visual documentation of Suriname during the late 19th century. It reflects the era in which European scientific expeditions sought to catalogue human cultures alongside geography, geology, and natural history. Today, original ethnographic plates from Martin’s Suriname work are scarce and increasingly sought after by collectors of Dutch colonial history, indigenous studies, museum-grade ethnography, and Caribbean–Guiana exploration material. This three-sheet set displays beautifully as a powerful gallery grouping and also pairs exceptionally well with Martin’s Suriname landscapes, Tafra Island view, and ABC Islands geological maps as part of a cohesive Dutch West Indies and Guiana exploration wall series. Condition Report All three original lithographs are in very good antique condition. Even overall age toning consistent with late 19th-century paper. Minor scattered foxing, mainly confined to the outer margins. Images remain clean and well preserved with strong clarity. No losses, no restorations, and no structural damage. Original plate margins intact. Framing Tips This set frames beautifully as a matching triptych in dark walnut, black lacquer, or antique gold frames with soft ivory or warm sand-tone museum mats. For a contemporary interior, the sheets can be floated in deep shadow-box frames to reveal the full paper edges. Especially effective in libraries, museum-style interiors, studies, and curated exploration-themed wall displays. Technique: Lithograph Maker: Karl Martin, Leiden, 1888 SEO Keyword Block Suriname ethnographic print Indigenous Suriname lithograph Dutch Guiana anthropology Suriname tribal artifacts Colonial ethnography print Karl Martin Leiden E J Brill Leiden 19th century Suriname Indigenous Caribbean Guiana Suriname ceremonial objects Tribal portrait lithograph Museum ethnographic wall art Dutch colonial exploration print
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 11.03 in (28 cm)Width: 7.49 in (19 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 3
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1888
  • Condition:
    All three original lithographs are in very good antique condition. Even overall age toning consistent with late 19th-century paper. Minor scattered foxing, mainly confined to the outer margins. Images remain clean and well preserved.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-14171-10, -11, 121stDibs: LU3054347828012

More From This Seller

View All
Antique Tribal Lithographs of Maxuruna and Botocudo Peoples, Brodtmann 1827

Antique Tribal Lithographs of Maxuruna and Botocudo Peoples, Brodtmann 1827

Located in Langweer, NL

Antique lithographs of Maxuruna and Botocudo tribes, Brodtmann 1827 These original lithographs, produced in 1827 by Karl Joseph Brodtmann, present rare and historically significant ...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swiss Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Indigenous Peoples of the Americas Print Collection, ca. 1852

Antique Indigenous Peoples of the Americas Print Collection, ca. 1852

Located in Langweer, NL

Antique Indigenous Peoples of the Americas Print Collection, ca. 1852 A visually striking and historically fascinating complete set of ten original hand-colored lithographs depictin...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Dutch Prints

Materials

Paper

Original Zaparo Tribe Illustrations: Amazon Exploration, 1854

Original Zaparo Tribe Illustrations: Amazon Exploration, 1854

Located in Langweer, NL

The two prints are lithographs from the book *Exploration of the Valley of the Amazon*, made by the U.S. Navy Department in 1854. This book chronicles an expedition undertaken to exp...

Category

Antique 1850s Prints

Materials

Paper

Pacific Island Ethnography – Canoe, Architecture & Costume, Antique Print c.1890

Pacific Island Ethnography – Canoe, Architecture & Costume, Antique Print c.1890

Located in Langweer, NL

Pacific Island Ethnography – Canoe, Architecture & Costume, Antique Print c.1890 This detailed ethnographic engraving documents aspects of daily life, material culture, and technolo...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Prints

Materials

Paper

Noru Gal Derri & Australian Aborigines, Lithographs by Last, 1836, Nieuw-Holland

Noru Gal Derri & Australian Aborigines, Lithographs by Last, 1836, Nieuw-Holland

Located in Langweer, NL

These two lithographs are part of a series depicting Aboriginal people from Australia, originally drawn by the artist Nicolas-Martin Petit during the expeditions of French explorer N...

Category

Antique 1830s Prints

Materials

Paper

Suriname Jungle Life & Sacred Stone - Lithograph Pair by Karl Martin, 1888

Suriname Jungle Life & Sacred Stone - Lithograph Pair by Karl Martin, 1888

Located in Langweer, NL

Suriname Jungle Life & Sacred Stone Lithograph Pair by Karl Martin 1888 This rare and evocative paired set of lithographic plates was published in 1888 as part of Karl Martin’s impo...

Category

Antique 1880s Dutch Maps

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

Caribbean Indigenous People / Orinoco, America, mid 19th century lithograph.

Caribbean Indigenous People / Orinoco, America, mid 19th century lithograph.

Located in Melbourne, Victoria

'Famiglia di Karaibi' / 'Tartarnughe deponenti le uova alle sponde dell' Orenoko'' Italian lithograph, c1841. Originally from 'Galleria universale di tutti i popoli del mondo' by Gi...

Category

Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Early 19th C. Native American Portrait Lithographs, Philadelphia, Group of 10

Early 19th C. Native American Portrait Lithographs, Philadelphia, Group of 10

Located in Morristown, NJ

A significant and visually compelling group of ten early 19th-century hand-colored lithographic portraits depicting Native American leaders from multiple nations, including the Chipp...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American American Classical Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Ethnographic Tribal prints Set Art Décor Interior Design

Antique Ethnographic Tribal prints Set Art Décor Interior Design

Located in London, GB

Antique Ethnographic Tribal prints A set of Three 19th century Hand coloured Lithographic prints featuring Tribal people from Papua new Guinea, Tonga and the Sandwich islands Fr...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Prints

Materials

Wood, Paper

Indigenous Costumes  - Original Lithograph - 19th Century

Indigenous Costumes - Original Lithograph - 19th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Indigenous Costumes is an original lithograph realized by an anonymous engraver of the 19th Century. Printed as part of the series "France Pittoresque", as indicated at the top cent...

Category

19th Century Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Indigenous People, Virginia, America, mid 19th century lithograph.

Indigenous People, Virginia, America, mid 19th century lithograph.

Located in Melbourne, Victoria

'Virginio - Sacerdote Virginio' / 'Gi' Indiant nella Virginia venerano il Fuoco'' Italian lithograph, c1841. Originally from 'Galleria universale di tutti i popoli del mondo' by Giu...

Category

Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Indigenous People, North America, mid 19th century lithograph.

Indigenous People, North America, mid 19th century lithograph.

Located in Melbourne, Victoria

'Fisom degli abiti dell' America Nord-oe / Uomo donna dell' Isola Nootka' / 'Nipissonghi / Ottovaeri' Italian lithograph, c1841. Originally from 'Galleria universale di tutti i popo...

Category

Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph