British Colonial Costume Print

The colonization of India by British forces was motivated by the demand for Indian goods and crafts, and the growth of the East India Trading Company. Before photography, artists would be commissioned  to travel and draw native people to show their customs, clothing, and everyday activities.  This is a print created by J. Chapman (1792-1823). It is titled “”An Omrah of State; a Dancing girl; and a Lad of the Harem; all belonging to the Palace of Delhi,” which is inscribed on the bottom of the piece, below the artist’s name. These illustrations were printed in the ‘Encyclopaedia Londinensis, or, Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Literature’ published in London, 1810-1829.

It is preserved in a chinoiserie frame of the same period, thus making it a true cross cultural item.