Mudras: The Ritual Hand-Poses of the Buddha Priests and the Shiva Priests of Bali

Good copy of the original 1924 first English edition, bound in the publisher's blue cloth-backed boards with gilt lettering to the spine. The binding shows age-related wear, including rubbing and small areas of damage to the corners, surface spotting and slight discolouration to the boards. The text pages show age-related yellowing and one page has very minor damage. The illustrated interior is otherwise well preserved for its age, with a sound binding. Please see photographs. An interesting copy containing historical newspaper clippings relating to Tyra de Kleen and her studies of Balinese ritual dance. These include illustrated material from The Illustrated London News, dated 5 May 1923, and a Dutch newspaper article concerning the ritual hand positions of Balinese priests. Some clippings have been mounted inside the book. A previous owner's stamp reading Drs. E.G. Spruyt, Amsterdam, is also present. A fascinating early ethnographic and artistic study of the ritual hand gestures, or mudras, employed by Buddhist and Shaivite priests in Bali. Illustrated with 60 plates of drawings by Swedish artist Tyra de Kleen, depicting ceremonial hand positions and complete ritual figures. With an introduction by A.J.D. Campbell, formerly of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where De Kleen's drawings were exhibited in 1923. Published by Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co., London, in 1924. First English edition. Large-format hardcover, 42 pages of text followed by 60 illustrated plates. English language. No ISBN. …