Items Similar to Logging Elephants, Lau Boentoe – Antique Dutch East Indies Photo c.1910
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10
Logging Elephants, Lau Boentoe – Antique Dutch East Indies Photo c.1910
$396.30
£293.52
€330
CA$542.11
A$589.99
CHF 312.75
MX$7,097.98
NOK 3,966.69
SEK 3,629.24
DKK 2,514.66
About the Item
Woodcutters and Logging Elephants, Lau Boentoe — C.J. Kleingrothe, ca. 1910
Historic photogravure showing two related scenes of the forestry and logging industry in the Deli region of East Sumatra. The upper image depicts woodcutters at work deep in the tropical rainforest, preparing timber by hand with traditional saw frames. The lower image features trained Asian elephants pulling large felled logs onto narrow-gauge trolley wagons, with plantation workers in attendance. Taken together, these scenes illustrate the transformation of the East Sumatran interior during the rapid expansion of the plantation economy in the early 20th century.
Charles J. Kleingrothe’s Medan studio served as the principal visual record of this era, photographing not only European commercial growth but also the labor and logistics that made the industry possible. Images of elephant logging are among the most sought-after subjects in colonial Southeast Asian photography, as they represent a fascinating intersection of Indigenous knowledge, animal labor, and industrial development.
The sheet is printed in rich photogravure tones and mounted on its original card support with multilingual captions beneath each image. Kleingrothe plates focusing on forestry and elephant labor are notably scarce, since many were heavily used as documentation and few survive in collectible condition. This example is particularly well-preserved, offering excellent clarity in vegetation details, figure expressions, and mechanical equipment.
An appealing print for collectors of Indonesian history, colonial photography, plantation heritage, or the visual history of working animals.
Condition report: Very good overall. Light toning and faint foxing in the margins only; images clean and sharp. Card mount edges intact with no tears or creases.
Framing tips: A teak-tone or dark wood frame complements the natural subject. A warm ivory or natural linen mat gives depth to the two-scene composition. UV-protected glass recommended.
Technique: Photogravure on original card mount
Maker: C.J. Kleingrothe, Medan, ca. 1910
Printer: J.B. Obernetter, München
Keywords: Colonial Indonesia, Deli, Sumatra, Lau Boentoe, elephant labor, logging history, tropical forestry, Dutch East Indies, plantation economy, Southeast Asia photography, working elephants
- Dimensions:Height: 13.39 in (34 cm)Width: 17.72 in (45 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1910
- Condition:Condition report: Very good overall. Light toning and faint foxing in the margins only; images clean and sharp. Card mount edges intact with no tears or creases.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-05079-51stDibs: LU3054347660272
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2009
1stDibs seller since 2017
2,816 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Langweer, Netherlands
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllBatak Village Pintoe-Bessi, Tomb – Kleingrothe Photo, Dutch East Indies c1910
Located in Langweer, NL
Batak village “Pintoe-Bessi”, Tomb in Foreground — C.J. Kleingrothe, Medan, ca. 1910
Early 20th-century photogravure depicting daily life in a Batak village in the East Sumatran int...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Maps
Materials
Paper
Batak Kampong Village, Sumatra Dutch East Indies - Kleingrothe Photogravure 1900
Located in Langweer, NL
Batak Kampong Village, Sumatra — Kleingrothe Photogravure c.1900
Original photogravure showing a Batak kampong (village) in the highlands of North Sumatra, photographed by C. J. Kle...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Maps
Materials
Paper
Tobacco Seed Fields — Deli Region, Sumatra — Dutch East Indies, c.1910
Located in Langweer, NL
Planting the Seedlings & Tobacco Seed Fields — C.J. Kleingrothe, ca. 1910
This early 20th-century photogravure sheet documents two essential stages in Deli tobacco cultivation in Ea...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Maps
Materials
Paper
Wampu River
Sultan of Langkat Palace near Medan — Dutch East Indies c.1910
Located in Langweer, NL
Medan Wampoe River & Sultan of Langkat Palace – Kleingrothe c.1900
This historic original photogravure sheet presents two evocative early 20th-century views along the Wampoe River i...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Maps
Materials
Paper
Coffee Establishment Girsahan
Sorting Coffee – Antique Photos Sumatra, c.1900
Located in Langweer, NL
Coffee Establishment Girsahan & Sorting Coffee – Antique Photogravures Sumatra c.1900
A rare and visually engaging original photogravure plate published circa 1900, documenting the ...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Maps
Materials
Paper
Aboeng Jungle, Sumatra — Antique Photogravure by C.J. Kleingrothe c.1900
Located in Langweer, NL
Aboeng Jungle, Sumatra — Antique Photogravure by C.J. Kleingrothe c.1900
This original photogravure by renowned photographer C.J. Kleingrothe capture...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Maps
Materials
Paper
You May Also Like
Japan - Jinn Ricshas in Gotemba - Vintage Photo 1893
Located in Roma, IT
Japan - Jinn Ricshas in Gotemba - August 12nd 1893 - is an original vintage black and white photo realized during a journey to Asia performed by Prince Franz Ferdinand von Osterreich...
Category
1890s Landscape Photography
Materials
Paper, Photographic Paper
Ceylon - Descent from Dambool Temple -Vintage Photo - 1893
Located in Roma, IT
Ceylon - Descent from Dambool Temple (Abstieg vom Dambooltempel) - January 7th 1893 - is an original vintage black and white photo realized during a journey throughout the world perf...
Category
1890s Landscape Photography
Materials
Paper, Photographic Paper
Elephant - Ceylon Photo Reportage - Vintage Photograph by Folco Quilici - 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Elephant - Ceylon Photo Reportage is a Vintage b/w Photo realized in the 1960s by Folco Quilici.
Good conditions.
Stamped on the rear.
Category
1960s Contemporary Figurative Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Nepal. On the way from Dakh-na Bah to Barbara Valley - Vintage Photo 1893
Located in Roma, IT
Nepal. On the way from Dakh-na Bah to Barbara Valley (Auf der reise von dakh-na bah nach Barbara-Tal) - March 18th 1893 - is an original vintage black and white photo realized during...
Category
1890s Portrait Photography
Materials
Paper, Photographic Paper
Ancient Views of Johor and Singapore - Original Albumen Print - 1880s/1890s
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Views of Johor and Singapore photographs is a set of 12 original vintage albumen prints on single cardboard: 25 x 34 cm.
Size of photos: Various sizes 12x8, 8.5 x11, 8.5x10...
Category
Late 19th Century Modern Figurative Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Nepal - Cattani Camp - Original Vintage Photo - 1893
Located in Roma, IT
Nepal - Cattani Camp - March 21th, 1893 - is an original vintage black and white photo realized during the journey throughout the world performed by Prince Franz Ferdinand von Osterr...
Category
1890s Landscape Photography
Materials
Paper, Photographic Paper
