Abstract: Imprint:Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1889Genre/Subject Matter:The volume contains seventeen landscape and urban scenes depicting the city of Mecca, in particular, the Masjid al-Haram, and, outside of Mecca, the grave of Maimoonah (the last wife the prophet Mohammed married), Mina and Mount Arafat. A number of these scenes are panoramic series, though they are mounted separately within the volume.Although the volume was published by Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje in 1889, it is likely that the photographs were taken by al-Sayyid ‘Abd al-Ghaffār, a doctor based in Mecca who became Hurgronje’s assistant during the six months that he was based in Mecca. The attribution has been researched by Claude Sui in ‘Travel to the Holy Land and photography in the nineteenth century’, in:
To the Holy Lands: Pilgrimage centres from Mecca and Medina to Jerusalem(Mannheim: Reiss-Engelhorn Museum, 2008), pp 56-63.Arabic script, written onto many of the negatives, has been erased subtly, but is visible upon close inspection in the prints (with the exception of image 6, 9b, 18a and 18b, respectively X463/6, X463/10, X463/19, X463/20).A short text written by Snouck Hurgronje introduces the volume and is dated March 1889. A list of plates follows this text and precedes the plates themselves.Elements:1 Ansicht der Moschee, während darin ein gemeinschaftliches Çalāt abgehalten wird (vergl. hierzu Mekka, Bd. II, S. 88).2 Erste Ansicht der Stadt Mekka: links im Hintergrund die Festung Djijād. Das grosse Gebäude rechts ist ied [
sicfor ‘die’] H̱amīdijjah, links daneben die Druckerei.3 Zweite Ansicht der Stadt Mekka über die nordwestliche (rechts) und die südwestliche Seite (links) der Moschee hinaus.4 Dritte Ansicht der Stadt Mekka: links die nördliche Ecke der Moschee; ein wenig südostlich von derselben das Bāb ès-salām, durch welches die Pilger in die Moschee eintreten.5 Vierte Ansicht der Stadt Mekka.6 Die (vor wenigen Jahren errichtete) Druckerei in Mekka.7 Das Grab der Sittanā Mèjmūnah und Lager dorthin gepilgerter Mekkaner (vergl. für die Beschreibung des Festes der Sittanā Mèjmūnah Mekka, Bd. II, S. 52ff.).8 Zweite Ansicht des Lagers der Mèjmūnahpilger.9 A. Dritte Ansicht desselben; im Hintergrund windet sich der Weg nach Mekka.9 B. Das Grab der Mèjmūnah und die nächste Umgebung.10 Westlicher Theil des sich von Westen nach Osten erstreckenden Thales Muna (Mina) während der grossen jährlichen Pilgerversammlung.11 Oestlicher Theil des Thales Muna.12 Die zwischen Muna und ‘Arafah gelegene Pilgerstation Muzdal’fah.13 Der Berg ‘Arafah während der jährlichen Pilgerversammlung (von Süden aus gesehen).14 Oestliche Seite des Berges ‘Arafah.15 Westliche Seite des Berges ‘Arafah.16 Pilgerlager in der Ebene östlich vom ‘Arafah-berge.17 Das Reitkameel (Hèdjīn) des Scherīf Jaẖja, eines Sohnes des Scherīf Aẖmed, dessen Vater der berühmte 1886 verstorbene Grossscherīf Abd èl-Muṯṯálib (vergl. über diesen letzten König Mekka’s vom alten Schlage Mekka, Bd. I, S. 16ff., 174ff.), mit einer reich mit Silber gestickten Satteldecke (batāt). Den Zaum hält der Sklave Jaẖja’s; neben diesem steht Jaẖja selbst im Reiteranzug und links in langen Kleidern zwei Scherife niedrigen Ranges.18 A und B. Zwei verschiedene Aufnahmen der Rīkah, des Thronsessels, auf welchen man in Mekka die jungfräuliche Braut in der Duchlah-nacht zu erheben pflegt (vergl. Mekka, Bd. II, S. 167ff.). Auf B sitzt der Bräutigam dort, wo die Braut sitzen soll.Inscriptions:Inside front cover, in pencil: ‘305’ (crossed out); ‘30/9/14’ (crossed out); ‘W2982’ (former India Office Library reference, crossed out)Inside front cover, in pen: ‘X463’First additional folio, recto, in pencil: ‘21’First additional folio, recto, in pen: ‘Presented Dec. 30. 1889.’; ‘Bilder aus Mekka’First folio, recto, pencil: ‘W2982’ (crossed out)First folio, recto, ink stamp: ‘India Office Library’First folio, verso, ink stamp and pen: ‘X463 22/2/72’Last folio, verso, ink stamp: ‘India Office Library’Last folio, verso, in pencil: ‘69’Temporal Context:The images were likely taken between 1886, when Hurgronje left Mecca, and 1889, when this volume was published.According to Durkje van der Wal in his publication
Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885(Amsterdam : Manfred & Hanna Heiting Fund, Rijksmuseum, 2011, pp. 42-51), the photographs in this publication that pertain to the hadj likely date to August 1888 since this was the period of the last hadj before February 1889, the date Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje received the final consignment of images.Physical description: Dimensions:Book: 365 x 300 x 15 mmFormat:Red and tan half leather published volume containing 20 collotype prints, pasted down.Materials:Paper, heavy weight and satin standard weight, collotype prints and ink.Condition:While binding is still sturdy, extensive scuffing and surface losses are evident, particularly on the spine and all four corners. Surface dirt throughout volume. The prints show signs of light scuffing and scratching with no major surface losses evident.Foliation:The prints are numbered as plates: I-XVIIIb.Process:CollotypeBinding:The sown spine is heavily scuffed with major surface losses. Gold lines demarcate wider bands in black-painted and tan leather. The words ‘Bilder aus Mekka’ ‘Hurgronje’ and ‘Secretary of State for India Library’ are imprinted in gold. White pigment pen at the base of the spine reads ‘X463’
Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:This landscape view shows the ‘the grave of our lady Maymūna [the last of nine wives married to the prophet Mohammed] and surrounding area’ at a place near Mecca called Sarif (Saref or ‘èn-Nawwārijjeh’, according to Snouck Hurgronje). Snouck Hurgonje, in the second volume of his publication
Mekkadescribes the place, as well as the festival of ‘Sittanā Mèjmūnah’ in detail.The white-washed low-lying wall – broken only by an arched entryway in the middle – forms an enclosure with two white-washed buildings facing one another. This small cluster of structures is the building visible from afar in X463/7. Both buildings are flat-roofed with rounded crenellations. The building on the right features a low, white-washed onion-dome. Tradition relates that Maymūna requested to be buried at this location, where she married Mohammed.In the left of the foreground rows of awnings cover a long stall beside which people are seated, in the shade. Tents, animals, people and bundles occupy the rest of the foreground as well as the background. Five rocky outcrops are visible in the background along the horizon.Inscriptions:Above image, on the right, in ink: ‘IXb’Temporal Context:According to Durkje van der Wal in his publication
Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885(Amsterdam : Manfred & Hanna Heiting Fund, Rijksmuseum, 2011, pp. 43-51), the photographs in this publication that pertain to the hadj (this image included) likely date to August 1888 since this was the period of the last hadj before February 1889, the date Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje received the final consignment of images.Physical description: Dimensions:103 x 145 mmFormat:Collotype print, pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions throughout.Foliation:‘IXb’Process:Collotype
Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:This landscape view shows an expansive camping ground near Mecca at a place called Sarif (Saref or ‘èn-Nawwārijjeh’, according to Snouck Hurgronje), described as ‘the grave of our lady Maymūna [the last of nine wives married to the prophet Mohammed] and camp of the Meccan pilgrims who travelled there’. Snouck Hurgonje, in the second volume of his publication
Mekkadescribes the place, as well as the festival of ‘Sittanā Mèjmūnah’ in detail.Much of the foreground, middle ground and background is littered with tents of varying shapes and sizes. In the foreground bushes can be seen and in the middle ground and background pilgrims are grouped together. Hills rise to the right and left of the horizon.In the centre background a white-washed low-lying structure with a central onion-dome can be seen. This is likely the grave of Maymūna. Tradition relates that she requested to be buried at this location, where she married Mohammed.The negative has had hand-work applied, creating a drawing-like quality in places, particularly in the background and middle ground, where the original plate may have been over-exposed.This is the first of two photographs taken from the same vantage point, which form a panoramic view over the camp. The second is X463/8.Inscriptions:Above image, on the right, in ink: ‘VII’Temporal Context:According to Durkje van der Wal in his publication
Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885(Amsterdam : Manfred & Hanna Heiting Fund, Rijksmuseum, 2011, pp. 43-51), the photographs in this publication that pertain to the hadj (this image included) likely date to August 1888 since this was the period of the last hadj before February 1889, the date Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje received the final consignment of images.Physical description: Dimensions:185 x 240 mmFormat:Collotype print, pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions throughout.Foliation:‘VII’Process:Collotype
Abstract: Genre/Subject MatterThis view from across a tilled field shows three large two-storey buildings. The caption indicates that these buildings are sited at Reshire (Reshīr), situated immediately south of Bushire (Būshehr) and the location of the Telegraph Station mentioned (and photographed) by Sir Percy Molesworth Sykes in his book
Ten Thousand Miles in Persia or Eight Years in Iran(London: John Murray, 1902).InscriptionsUpper right corner, in pen: ‘p. 12?’Lower right, in pencil, alongside image: ‘85’Below image: ‘Telegraph Buildings at Reshire. 24. Feb. 1902’Physical description: Dimensions:110 x 158 mm [landscape]Format:Materials:Condition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'85'Process:
Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:This landscape view shows ‘[a] pilgrims’ camp in the Plain east of Mount ‘Arafah’. Located 21 km southeast of the Masjid al-Haram, the plain, which extends 6 km from east to west and 12 km from north to south, and the 70 metre high granite hill at the centre of it are stations of the hadj. Mount Arafat is located northeast of the plain and is also known as Jabal al-Rahmah or Mount of Mercy.In this image the plain is populated by a wide variety of tents while in the foreground three camels are couched around one low-lying tent. A figure crouches alongside the camel at centre.The negative has had hand-work applied, creating a drawing-like quality where the original plate may have been over-exposed, particularly in the right and along the horizon.Arabic script written directly into the image has been erased subtly, but is visible upon close inspection in the lower right of the image as well as in the central sky area of the image.Inscriptions:Above image, on the right, in ink: ‘XVI’Temporal Context:According to Durkje van der Wal in his publication
Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885(Amsterdam : Manfred & Hanna Heiting Fund, Rijksmuseum, 2011, pp. 43-51), the photographs in this publication that pertain to the hadj (this image included) likely date to August 1888 since this was the period of the last hadj before February 1889, the date Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje received the final consignment of images.Physical description: Dimensions:186 x 240 mmFormat:Collotype print, pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions throughout.Foliation:‘XVI’Process:Collotype
Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:This scene shows a built up area of Muscat at the foot of an outcrop near the Al-Mirani or Al-Jalali fort.The fort’s defensive structures and three main towers are visible along the horizon while several other structures are visible in the fore- and middle-ground.At left is a crumbling wall in shadow, behind which, in the middle-ground, stands a two or three storey crenellated building.At centre, two donkeys stand in a flat area before a low-lying whitewashed structure and several palm trees. At right a two-storey structure stands behind an uneven, rocky area.Inscriptions:Lower left, below image, in pen: ‘Muscat.’Upper left, above image, in pencil, crossed-out: ‘a’Lower right, alongside image, in pencil: ‘7’Lower right, below image, in pen: ‘(Jan. 1918)’Physical description: Dimensions:70 x 96 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'a'; '7'Process:Silver gelatin print
Abstract: Genre/Subject MatterThis image shows a roughly due south facing view inside the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca during the
Çalāt(prayers) and should be compared to Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje’s description of the
Çalātin volume II (1889) of his publication
Mekka, p. 88:‘[…] according to custom, the Imam chooses an extract from the Qur’an to be read during the Çalāt, which is accompanied by prostration; the solemnity is increased due to the fact that the ‘standing’ position of the congregation, which accompanies recitation during the Çalāt, is interrupted in a moment by an extraordinary prostration.’The image should also be compared with the print from a photograph of a similar view (1781.b.6/2) published in Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje’s 1888 publication
Bilder-Atlas zu Mekka.Also in view are: the Caaba; Gate of the Banī Shaybah; Building housing the Zamzam well; Stairs to the Caaba;
Maqām Ibrahīm, which is also the
Maqām el-Schāfi’ī’; Minbar;
Maqām al-Mālikī; outside of the Masjid al-Haram, the front-side of the Hamidiyah (likely a building constructed during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II) is visible; and a fortified structure known as ‘Jiyad Castle’, on the low hill in the background on the left.There are also several Ottoman-era buildings featuring intricate tile or brickwork visible outside the mosque.A large number of pilgrims, the majority of which are men, are shown standing and facing the Caaba.Arabic script written directly into the image has been erased subtly, but is visible upon close inspection in the lower centre of the image as well as in the central sky area of the image.InscriptionsAbove image, on right, in ink: ‘I’Lower centre and upper centre: illegible, partially erased Arabic scriptTemporal Context:Since the shadows beneath the feet of the pilgrims are not very deep and are angled fractionally to the east, it is likely the photograph was taken soon after midday.According to Durkje van der Wal in his publication
Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885(Amsterdam : Manfred & Hanna Heiting Fund, Rijksmuseum, 2011, pp. 42-51), the photographs in this publication that pertain to the hadj (this image included) likely date to August 1888 since this was the period of the last hadj before February 1889, the date Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje received the final consignment of images.Physical description: Dimensions:184 x 236 mmFormat:Collotype print, pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions, though no surface losses in the lower right of centre.Foliation:‘I’Process:Collotype
Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:This image shows Mathra and part of the bay behind it. In the far distance at centre a settlement, perhaps Muscat itself, lines the shore. A fortified castle or tower can be seen on the near side of the bay, atop a steep rocky hill.Rocky outcrops descend from left and right to centre of the image. Much of the foreground is in shadow.Inscriptions:Lower left, below image, in pen: ‘Mathra.’Upper left, above image, in pencil, crossed-out: ‘a’Lower right, alongside image, in pencil: ‘11’Lower right, below image, in pen: ‘(Jan. 1918)’Physical description: Dimensions:70 x 96 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'a'; '11'Process:Silver gelatin print
Abstract: Genre/Subject MatterThis scene on the island of Shif (Jazireh-ye Shif) north of Bushehr shows the ‘landing place’. A pebbly flat shore takes up the majority of the middle- and foreground while the horizon, a long raised area, is crowded with unidentifiable bundles, sacks (presumably trade goods), figures and donkeys.Just right of the centre along the horizon a fortified structure is discernible.InscriptionsUpper right, in pen, ‘p. 12?’; alongside image, in pencil: ‘b’Lower right, in pencil, alongside image: ‘82’Below image: ‘The landing place at Shif. 29. Jan. 1902’Physical description: Dimensions:111 x 156 mm [landscape]Format:Materials:Condition:The image is lightly faded throughout the image. Dark spots along the upper edge and dark lines along the lower edge originate in the printing process. There are several minute surface losses throughout with one larger surface loss in the upper left corner.Foliation:'p. 12?'; 'b'; '82'Process:
Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:This landscape view shows ‘the pilgrims’ station, Muzdal’fah, situated between Muna (Mina) and ‘Arafah’. Muzdal’fah is a station of the hadj, where pilgrims camp gather on the 9th of
Dhul-Hijjah, as can be seen in this image.Here pilgrims pray, perform
wuquf(standing before God) and may collect stones for the stoning of the Jamarat at Mina (Muna). Left of centre, along the horizon, a lone white-washed structure, featuring a minaret, appears to be the only building on the plain. Just below the horizon, groups of people and trains of camels to the right and left of the image are visible. A group stands with their backs to the camera in the foreground. Either mist or over-exposure has rendered the horizon blurry. In the far distance ridges of hills are visible, however.The negative has had hand-work applied, creating a drawing-like quality, particularly in the background and around the three figures to the left in the foreground.Arabic script written directly into the image has been erased subtly, but is visible upon close inspection in the lower centre of the image as well as in the central sky area of the image.Inscriptions:Above image, on the right, in ink: ‘XII’Temporal Context:According to Durkje van der Wal in his publication
Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885(Amsterdam : Manfred & Hanna Heiting Fund, Rijksmuseum, 2011, pp. 43-51), the photographs in this publication that pertain to the hadj (this image included) likely date to August 1888 since this was the period of the last hadj before February 1889, the date Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje received the final consignment of images.Physical description: Dimensions:190 x 245 mmFormat:Collotype print, pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions throughout.Foliation:‘XII’Process:Collotype
Abstract: Genre/Subject MatterThis image shows the city of Mecca from an elevated position due east of the Masjid al-Haram, or Grand Mosque. Parts of the city due north of the Masjid al-Haram are visible in the middleground.A large two-storey, fortified building is situated immediately below the horizon on the foothills of the northern ridge, to the far left of the image: this is the same building noted in X463/4.A sloping bank of scree make up the lower right foreground and middleground, while in the distant background a chain of hills is visible.This is the fourth of four photographs taken from the same vantage point, which form a panoramic view over the city of Mecca. The first, second and third are X463/2, X463/3 and X463/4 respectively.The negative has had hand-work applied, creating a drawing-like quality in places.InscriptionsAbove image, on the right, in ink: ‘V’Lower centre and upper centre: illegible, partially erased Arabic scriptPhysical description: Dimensions:189 x 243 mmFormat:Collotype print, pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions, though no surface losses in the lower right of centre.Foliation:‘V’Process:Collotype
Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:This landscape view shows ‘the east side of Mount [‘Arafah]’ as well as the Plain of Arafat or ‘Arafah. Located 21 km southeast of the Masjid al-Haram, the plain, which extends 6 km from east to west and 12 km from north to south, and the 70 metre high granite hill at the centre of it – visible here on the horizon at left – are stations of the hadj. Mount Arafat is located northeast of the plain and is also known as Jabal al-Rahmah or Mount of Mercy.On the ninth day of
Dhul-Hijjah, known as the Day of Arafat, just before noon, pilgrims gather on the plain to perform
wuqufor ‘standing before God’, as can be seen in this image: this is a pillar of the hadj and must be undertaken in order the pilgrimage to be valid. In this image the background and middle ground are populated by pilgrims and their tents.Many of the pilgrims visible here – male and female – are wearing the two piece garb, consisting of two white seamless sheets, associated with being in the state of
ihram. The men have clearly shaved their heads as a part of the ritual cleansing ceremony undertaken at the beginning of the hadj in order to enter into the state of
ihram. A woman standing behind the tent in the foreground at left wears a headscarf and faces the camera.In the foreground, an awning or tent (which is the same one visible in X463/14) billows in the wind, covering full sacks, firewood and other camping supplies.The negative has had hand-work applied, creating a drawing-like quality throughout where the original plate may have been over-exposed and where the photographer wished to pick up some small details, such as the face of the man left of centre. Arabic script written directly into the image has been erased subtly, but is visible upon close inspection in the lower centre of the image as well as in the central sky area of the image.This is the second (right-hand) of three photographs taken from the same vantage point, which form a panoramic view over the plain. The first and third are X463/14 and X463/16 respectively.Inscriptions:Above image, on the right, in ink: ‘XIV’Temporal Context:According to Durkje van der Wal in his publication
Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885(Amsterdam : Manfred & Hanna Heiting Fund, Rijksmuseum, 2011, pp. 43-51), the photographs in this publication that pertain to the hadj (this image included) likely date to August 1888 since this was the period of the last hadj before February 1889, the date Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje received the final consignment of images.Physical description: Dimensions:185 x 240 mmFormat:Collotype print, pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions throughout.Foliation:‘XIV’Process:Collotype