Description
Java’s Marvelous Novelty: Sandi, Siwel, and Amat
Poster featuring Javanese Human Curiosities in Europe
– Title: Java’s Marvelous Novelty: Sandi, Siwel, and Amat
– Publisher: Adolph Friedländer, Hamburg
– Date: 1913
– Lithograph Number: 5832
– Dimensions: 95 x 71 cm
– Condition: A beautifully preserved original lithograph with vivid colours and minimal wear.
This rare and striking lithographed poster from 1913 advertises the appearance of three Javanese men—Sandi, Siwel, and Amat—who toured Europe and England as part of a circus sideshow act, marketed as “Java’s Marvelous Novelty.” These men were presented as “human curiosities,” a common practice in the early 20th century when individuals from colonized lands were often showcased in European circuses, fairs, and exhibitions as mysterious figures from distant cultures.
Their act was simple yet captivating to European audiences: dressed in traditional Javanese attire, they would walk around, embodying an exotic mystique that resonated with spectators’ fascination for the “Orient.” A contemporary review by a female spectator captured this allure, stating, “They didn’t disappoint me, they were so mysterious!” Such acts, while popular and entertaining to audiences of the time, also reflect the era’s colonial mindset and Orientalist fascination with the “Other.”
Though a picture postcard of the trio from 1911 exists, further information about their lives and experiences remains scarce. This poster not only highlights the visual and promotional artistry of Adolph Friedländer’s Hamburg lithography studio but also serves as a historical artifact, encapsulating the complex legacy of human exhibitions and the portrayal of colonized peoples in early 20th-century Europe. This piece would be a notable addition to any collection focused on colonial history, Orientalism, or circus ephemera.
In frame.
