Antique chromolithograph of a tin smelter in the Indies. Tin, a metal of significant value, is one of the many riches of the Indies. Indeed, to this day Indonesia remains one of the largest tin producing countries in the world. Ancient traders from China and India would sail to Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo to get tin. Tin smelters such as one in this lithograph turn the metal from solid into liquid so that it can be mixed with copper and other metals to create bronze or pewter.

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