Traditional architecture in Jeddah

[Saudi Arabia]. [Dutch Consulate at Jeddah].

$1,996.00

Rare photograph of the Consulate of the Netherlands at Jeddah, an attractive example of the traditional architecture of the city.

The Dutch were present at Jeddah from 1872, setting up a diplomatic mission with the main intention of monitoring Muslim pilgrims from their colonial possessions in Indonesia. One Dutchman, Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje, is well known for his contribution to the photographic record of the city, having documented (in tandem with his co-photographer Abdul Ghaffar) its people and places during the Hajj of 1884.

Though relatively few in number, commercial postcards of Jeddah were produced from the late 19th century onwards. Most were illustrated with lithographically reproduced photographs. The present image is a rare example of a silver-gelatin photograph of the city, and, having no imprint on the verso, does not appear to have been issued commercially.