A collection of 6 original albumen prints of Burma by Phillip Klier, c. 1880

Philip Adolphe Klier (c.1845-1911) was a German photographer who worked in British Burma from the 1860s until the early 20th century. After establishing himself in Moulmein, he opened a studio in Rangoon around 1877-1881 and became one of the leading photographers of colonial Burma. His work documents Buddhist temples, the Shwedagon Pagoda, everyday Burmese life, and the timber industry for which Rangoon was famed. His large albumen views are now scarce and highly sought after for their documentary and artistic value.

This attractive group comprises six original albumen prints, three of which are captioned in the negative:

• 393 Shoay Dagone Pagoda, Rangoon, P. Klier, Rangoon.

• 405 Frontage of a Gaudama Temple, P. Klier, Rangoon.

• Shrine of Schwe Dagone Pagoda Rangoon.

• Large view of a monumental temple bell with seated monks.

• Striking timber-yard scene with a working elephant manoeuvring a massive teak beam under the guidance of its handler (pencil numbered 338/2 to verso).

• Avenue of inscription shrines, Maha Lawkamarazein (Kuthodaw) Pagoda, Mandalay. This pagoda is renowned for housing the "World's Largest Book" - consisting of 729 marble slabs, each inscribed with a page of text from the Tripitaka, the entire Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism. 

Prints measure approximately 203 × 270 mm (8 × 10.5 inches). Condition is generally good: some mild corner creases, light curling, and handling wear, but retaining excellent tonal detail. One Schwe Dagone Pagoda image shows staining and crinkle damage at lower right. All unmounted. 

A scarce and cohesive group offering an excellent representation of Klier’s photographic work in Burma during the late 19th century.