Description:

Thought to be in Halebid. Only four photographers were known to make the arduous trek to Halebid in the 1850s: Tripe, Pigou, Neil and Richard Banner Oakley. Of these, only Oakley is known to have worked in this paper negative size. The rest worked in larger sizes or with collodion glass plates. Oakley's work was reproduced in The Pagoda of Hallibeed (London 1859), published in an edition of 25 by T. M'Lean in prints approximately 8" x 11". The publication contained albumen prints, so these lightly albumenized salt prints with their occasional English notations on the verso of the prints must be Oakley's working copies or from a group that Oakley printed himself prior to the book's publication. The images are mounted on stiff paper from Breton Feres et Cie. Halebid was the great capital of the Hoysala kingdom. It is famous for Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples. Both of them are gems of Indian architecture and unequaled for their sculptural excellence and skill. Every inch is adorned with superb sculptural extravaganza. It has also a few Jain basadhis or temples. Hoysala kings followed Jainsim before taking to Srivaishnavism. The sculptures at Halebid like in all other Hoysala temples are of soapstone or soft stone, on which excellent workmanship can be executed. For more information on early photography in Halebid and Oakley, see: Dewan, Jane, "The Hoysalesvara Temple of Halebid in Early Photography," History of Photography, Oct.-Dec., 1989, pp.343-354. According to Dewan, "Though not as useful as documentation, Oakley's series is the most interesting photographically" (of the five photographers to document Halebid). A shade light, but decent print.

Shipping and insurance costs will be added to the price and must be paid for by the buyer. Pennsylvania buyers must pay appropriate local sales tax. International clients are responsible for their VAT and other custom's oriented charges.