Color lithograph, Samoyeds, Nenets, Siberia, Stuttgart 1883

This original color lithograph from the year 1883 originates from Stuttgart and shows fascinating, detailed scenes from the life of the Samoyeds in the late 19th century. The historically valuable illustration is originally titled "Samojeden" and impressively documents the traditional lifestyle as well as the rich culture of this Uralic people in Siberia. The sheet accurately depicts the typical dwellings, the so-called chum tents, as well as the traditional clothing made of robust reindeer fur. On the men and children, one can see the malitsa, a shirt-like overcoat, while the magnificent coat of the women, the yagushka, is recognizable on the right side of the picture. A special cultural-historical highlight in the background of the lithograph is a ritual circle dance, in which the people dancing in a circle surround a reindeer, which held a deep communal and often shamanic significance during ceremonies in the Samoyed community.

At the bottom edge of the image below the motif, the printed manufacturing mark Lith. Anst. v. A. Osterrieth, Stuttgart is located, which proves beyond doubt that this sheet was produced in the renowned lithographic establishment using the elaborate stone printing process. In the year 1883, color lithography was considered the absolute standard method for high-quality book illustrations and pictorial plates, which is reflected in the fine details of this print. The historical sheet is in a very good overall condition, with only a few dark spots visible on the outermost edge of the paper, which however lie outside the actual motif and do not affect the look. The print is protected and decoratively presented by an elegant mat. The outer dimensions of the mat are exactly 30 x 24 cm with a pure print dimension of 22 x 14.5 cm.