Antique chromolithograph of a street in Amboina. Also known as Ambon, this port city in the Maluku Islands shared its name with the island it was located on. Another of the Dutch’s key holdings in the Indies, Amboina served as the nucleus of spice trade from the Maluku Islands to the world. In the lithograph, Ambonese natives can be seen conversing with one another and going about their day while a man in full European dress walks with a cane down the street.

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