National Anthropological Archives

Mura Bayly photographs and papers, circa 1908-1910

Summary

Collection ID:
NAA.PhotoLot.2010-22
Creators:
Bayly, Mura
Dates:
circa 1908-1910
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
58 Lantern slides
192 Prints
silver gelatin, albumen, halftone, chromolithograph, collotype, and platinum
0.5 Linear feet
papers
Repository:

Scope and Contents note

Scope and Contents note
The collection is comprised of papers and photographs relating to Mura Bayly's travels in Indonesia and the Pacific islands. Photographs including prints and lantern slides document daily life, arts, architecture, ceremonies, and various events of Javanese, Fijian, Samoan, Maori, and other people. Some photographs were made by professional photographers, including O. Kurkdjian studio, Carli Studio, Josiah Martin, and other photographers in the region. Bayly's papers include handwritten notes for her illustrated lectures, a typed manuscript for a story titled "Peter goes to Java," a journal kept during her time in Java, and an autograph album containing signatures and seals acquired during her travels.

Biographical/Historical note

Biographical/Historical note
Mura Bayly was born in South Africa and educated in England, France, Germany, and Austria. In the 1910s Bayly traveled throughout Indonesia and the Pacific islands, pursuing ethnological interests. She became well known in New York as a lecturer on Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, and the Pacific islands, and in 1911, when she was about 25 years old, she was elected as a fellow of the American Geographical Society. Bayly published stories of her travels in American, European, and other periodicals, and she designed her own silk clothing. During her travels Bayly collected skeins of silk fibers and her trips may have focused on clothing design and the acquisition of textiles.

Administration

Author
Sarah Ganderup
Custodial History note
The collection was donated by Paul. R. Greenhall in 2010. Greehhall had received the collection through his mother and grandmother. In the early 1920s Mura Bayly gave the items in this collection along with other artifacts to her friend Alice Lydia Jones (grandmother of donor Paul Greenhall).

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access note
The collection is open for research.
Access to the collection requires an appointment.
Conditions Governing Use note
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Preferred Citation note
Photo Lot 2010-22, Mura Bayly photographs and papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution.

More Information

Local Call Number(s)

Local Call Number(s)
NAA Photo Lot 2010-22

Other Finding Aids

Other Finding Aids
Detailed inventory of photographs available in the repository or on request.


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Dance Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Fiji Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Java (Indonesia) Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Markets Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Wayang plays Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Javanese (Indonesian people) Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Samoa Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Maori (New Zealand people) Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Samoans Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Fijians Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
New Zealand Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Wegner & Mothe Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
O. Kurkdjian & Co. Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sigrist, J. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Martin, Josiah Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

National Anthropological Archives
Museum Support Center
4210 Silver Hill Road
Suitland, Maryland 20746
naa@si.edu