Kengtung Occasions (Two Volumes)

Burma (Kengtung, Shan State, presumed), 1908. Quarter Morocco, Cloth Boards. Very Good. Oblong 8vo. 18 by 25.5 cm. 60 original watercolors, with 30 in each album. With Shan captions, presumably translated into English which is presented on pastedown sheet on front inside cover. The drawings in both albums were drawn by a Hkon artist of Kengtung according to labels on the front of both. The album creator might have been a man named Richard Phillimore, or something close to that, based on a handwritten inked name which isn't entirely legible. The first volume depicts the struggles against Chinese invaders and the rise and fall of several leaders. About half of the scenes show violence, or armed engagement and/or threat, while the other scenes tend to be more placid, with men shown praying, in meditation, listening, resting. All the pictures have the irresistible charm of folk art. From the text label on the front cover, this is presumably one of two books of scenes, but without that indication, one should find this album self-contained, and while there is a cumulative impact to the scenes, each also works very well on its own. Kengtung is in the Shan State, or Northeast of Burma, of today's Myammar, close to the Chinese and Thai borders. The second volume is devoted to the culture and daily life of the province. Thus are shown scenes from a festival, the practice of various trades, various customs, the marketplace, a hunting party and the like. An unattached note contained within the first volume states that a prior owner bought the album in Hong Kong. Condition: the spines are rough, with much of the spine of Vol. II perished. Bindings in general are tight but gritty, with edgewear and abrasions. Also with both albums front board labels torn at bottom but without much loss other than the name of the original owner. LIght age toning of the leaves, with scattered soiling. All the paintings are bright and vivid. Two handsome, exotic albums.