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Linnaeus Tripe
The Pagoda Jewels
1858, January-March (taken) 1860 (published)
Albumen print, from dry-collodion-on-glass negative
21.3 x 30.2 cm (image) 45.3 x 57.2 cm (page)
Victoria and Albert Museum
Museum Number: IS.40:12-1889, Given by Lady Denison
LL/36323
Linnaeus Tripe (1822-1902) documented much of south India as official photographer to the Madras government (1856-1860). His album Photographs of Madura: Part III contains fifteen images of the Great Pagoda of Madura, a famous and celebrated piece of architecture. This photograph is the only one in the album that documents a close-up still-life subject rather than architectural features. Tripe has used velvet as a dark backdrop, and carefully captured the details in the jewels and the creases in the fabric underneath. The text published with the photograph explains, 'The uses of these [jewels] are to adorn the idols or their Vahanams on festival occasions'.
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