Fashion & Costume · 19th century
€ 290
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Condition report: Mild toning and light foxing in the margins. Colors strong and well-preserved, especially in the yellow gown and red shawl. Plate mark visible. Paper stable with full margins.
Sierra Leone Woman Costume Print – Antique Hand-Colored Lithograph, 1854
This antique hand-colored lithograph, published in 1854 in Album des Voyages Anciens et Modernes by Martial Ardant Frères, depicts a woman from Sierra Leone in distinctive traditional dress. The figure is shown in profile, standing with calm dignity, her attire combining both elegance and simplicity.
She wears a full yellow gown with vertical stripes, its voluminous sleeves gathered tightly at the wrists. Around her waist is tied a blue sash, emphasizing her silhouette, while a red shawl with green and yellow fringe is draped over one shoulder. Her head is covered with a dark headdress, trimmed with a patterned band, and decorated with colorful ribbons. Red jewelry at her neck and ears adds to the decorative richness of her appearance. On her feet, she wears simple sandals, highlighting practicality alongside refinement.
In the mid-19th century, Sierra Leone was known in Europe both as a center of West African culture and as a British colonial settlement. For European readers of travel albums, images such as this provided a stylized view of African identity, reflecting both curiosity and romanticized interpretation. The costume emphasizes bold color contrasts, especially the golden gown and red shawl, while the profile pose gives the woman a sense of quiet nobility.
Hand-colored lithographs like this combined ethnographic ambition with artistic flourish, shaping how Africa was visually represented in European illustrated books. Today, such images serve as important historical records of cultural representation while remaining highly decorative works of art. The vibrant hand coloring, especially in the gown and accessories, ensures the figure remains visually striking.
Condition report: Mild toning and light foxing in the margins. Colors strong and well-preserved, especially in the yellow gown and red shawl. Plate mark visible. Paper stable with full margins.
Framing tips: A black or ebony frame with a cream mat will emphasize the strong yellow tones of the gown. Alternatively, a gilt frame with a red mat will highlight the draped shawl and jewelry, giving the print a bold and elegant presentation.
Technique: Hand-colored lithograph
Maker: Martial Ardant Frères, Paris & Limoges, 1854
