Burma [Myanmar], ca. 1920. 16 watercolours. 8vo-sized (images ca. 21.0 x 15.7 cm). Heightened with white body colour; each signed "M. T. Hla" in lower right corner, uniformly mounted. Mounts 40.5 x 27.9 cm.

A suite of 16 beautiful, very detailed, and accurately coloured images of people from Burma, in contemporary clothing, belonging to various tribes. For instance, a Karen woman, Taung Yo woman, Kachin man, Chin woman (with facial tattoos), Padaung woman, with neck rings (also known as Kayan), etc. This is the work of the Burmese painter and illustrator Maung Tun Hla - also known as U Tun Hla (1874-1946), who is renowned for his oil paintings of Burmese landscapes. He "...was an early pioneer watercolour and oil painter of Burma who painted in the Western style." (Wikipedia). Signed near the feet of each person. With on the rear of each frame a large label of Smart & Mookerdum, Booksellers Stationers, Sofaer's Buildings, Rangoon. Minor spotting - stronger one plate, otherwise in excellent condition. A unique ensemble of very high quality.