Mudras - ritualistic postures Bali (Tyra de Kleen, 1924)

Description

Rare and impressive publication on Balinese mudra rituals, with all 60 of Tyra de Kleen's characteristic plates beautifully preserved.

This large, almost art object-like book from 1924 is a treasure for connoisseurs of Bali, Asian rituals and early ethnographic illustrations. The drawings - ornate, precise and iconic for De Kleen - show both postures and complete priestly scenes, executed on fine China paper. This copy also features historical clippings from The Illustrated London News and Dutch newspapers carefully pasted in, a unique added value for collectors.

Origin & meaning
Published in London (1924) by Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co. and produced on the occasion of the exhibition of these drawings at the Victoria & Albert Museum (1923). To this day, the mudra images are considered one of the most important early-20th-century visual documentations of Balinese priestly rituals.

Dimensions & condition
Large format (quarto). 42 pages of text + 60 plates on China paper. Original half-linen binding. Normal signs of age to binding and edges, but interior particularly nice and clean. With inserted historical clippings from 1920-1930.