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Anthropology and Skull Comparison Print by T Bromme, 1865 Ethnographic Atlas

$215.67
£160.52
€180
CA$295.41
A$328.56
CHF 171.56
MX$3,998.21
NOK 2,191.12
SEK 2,054.89
DKK 1,370.28
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About the Item

Anthropology and Skull Comparison Print by T Bromme, 1865 Ethnographic Atlas This original 19th-century hand-colored lithograph comes from one of the ethnographic atlases compiled by German geographer and publisher Traugott Bromme, most likely from his Illustrirter Hand-Atlas der Erde und der Menschheit, published around 1865. It is a striking example of how physical anthropology and ethnography were visually represented in the mid-1800s. The plate features a carefully arranged sequence of numbered portraits and skull studies, combining human figures from various continents with anatomical illustrations. The individuals are depicted in regional costume and positioned alongside skull diagrams, suggesting comparative analysis of cranial structure. The layout reflects the period’s fascination with human classification, framed by theories of physiognomy and early racial science, many of which are now thoroughly discredited. At the top of the image is a European figure, and at the bottom, the sequence moves toward stylized or even caricatured faces and ape skulls, underlining the problematic ideologies that shaped these works. Traugott Bromme’s ethnographic atlases were widely used in educational institutions across Europe and are now valued both as visual documents and as historical records of 19th-century thinking. This print exemplifies the high-quality lithographic techniques of the time, including precise linework and finely applied color. It offers a fascinating and revealing perspective on how science, illustration, and colonial-era worldviews intersected in printed media. This is a valuable item for collectors of antique scientific prints, early anthropology, or ethnographic visual culture. Despite the outdated concepts, it remains a compelling historical artifact from a significant period in the development of European geographic and ethnological publishing. Condition report: Original hand-colored lithograph by Bromme, circa 1865. Minor spotting and age toning. Strong color retention. No folds or tears. Margins clean with light edge wear. Tips for framing: Use a black or dark walnut frame with an off-white or ivory matboard to enhance the aged paper tones and draw attention to the detailed composition. Avoid ornate frames to maintain historical and academic appeal.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 11.23 in (28.5 cm)Width: 8.67 in (22 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1865
  • Condition:
    Original hand-colored lithograph by Bromme, circa 1865. Minor spotting and age toning. Strong color retention. No folds or tears. Margins clean with light edge wear.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-12980-11stDibs: LU3054345321602

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