About this sheet
Antique Javanese Costume & Dance Prints – Bedajas and Ronggeng – c.1860
This pair of richly hand-colored lithographs (unframed) presents scenes of Javanese traditional dance and costume, produced in the mid-19th century when European interest in the Dutch East Indies was at its height. These prints provide a rare visual record of courtly and popular performance traditions on the island of Java (Indonesia).
The first plate, titled Bedaja’s, depicts the celebrated Bedhaya dance, a sacred court dance of Central Java, traditionally performed by women. The dancers are shown in elaborate sarongs with intricate batik patterns, their torsos adorned with sashes and jewelry. They are seated and standing in formal poses on a pavilion stage with carved wooden columns, set against a backdrop of distant hills. The Bedhaya was associated with refinement, spirituality, and the Javanese royal courts of Surakarta and Yogyakarta, making this image both a cultural document and an elegant artistic rendering.
The second plate, Ronggengs, shows a Ronggeng performance, a more popular form of dance accompanied by music, often performed in village settings. A female dancer stands ready to perform, flanked by musicians playing traditional instruments including drums and bowed string instruments. Their vibrant attire, including colorful headscarves, patterned sarongs, and ornaments, reflects the richness of Javanese costume and performance traditions. The mountainous backdrop reinforces the rural setting, contrasting with the formality of the courtly Bedhaya.
These lithographs were part of a larger 19th-century European effort to document the peoples and cultures of the East Indies, combining ethnographic observation with decorative artistry. Such works were widely collected by scholars, travelers, and colonial officials, serving as both educational resources and exotic images for European audiences.
Condition summary: Both lithographs are in very good condition, with well-preserved, vivid hand coloring. Some light toning and minor age spots in the margins, but the images remain strong and clear. No tears or repairs noted. Unframed.
Framing tips: As a complementary pair, these prints work best displayed together. A simple dark wood or teak-style frame will emphasize their Southeast Asian subject, while a cream or ivory mount will enhance the freshness of the coloring. Gilt slips may be added for a more formal presentation.
Technique: Hand-colored lithograph
Maker: Unknown European lithographer, c.1860, likely from a Dutch East Indies ethnographic series
