Antique chromolithograph of Karang Bolong, a sea cave in Anyer, West Java. All along the Javanese coast one can find caves, grottos, and pools. During high tide, these sea caves would be submerged but during low tide it would be accessible. The presence of birds in the picture suggests the men climbing down the ladder to harvest edible bird’s nests made by certain species of swiftlets and swallows native to the Indies.

Published in Leiden, the Netherlands, after a water drawing by J.C. Rappard,

Jhr. Josias Cornelis Rappard (1824-1898) was a colonel in the KNIL and a painter. During his posting in the Netherlands Indies 1842-1872, he painted and drew pictures of life and scenes in the Indies that were later, back in Leiden, The Netherlands, would be made into chromolithographs. The Royal Tropical Institute in Amsterdam holds a large number of these prints and collectors all over the world appreciate Rappard's classic watercolours.

Chromolithography was a popular method for colour printing in the 19th century because of its lower cost and relative ease to mass-produce. The process involves the use of stones and a chemical process to fasten images to the paper. High-end chromolithographs are hand-finished by an artist after the process to ensure the best possible fidelity in each copy.

This lithograph is part of a series, view all by clicking HERE