A Quran Reader and a Tea Drinker — Kassian Céphas, c. 1880 | Vintage Photography T-Shirt
A QURAN READER AND A TEA DRINKER
Two men. An open book. A cup of tea. A quiet scene from nineteenth-century Java.
Java, Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia), c. 1880.
Two men sit facing one another on a woven mat. One leans over an open book, resting his head on his hand. The other holds a small cup of tea.
Between them are several vessels and objects, carefully arranged against a studio backdrop.
The photograph was taken by Kassian Céphas (1845–1912), a pioneering photographer of Javanese origin. The KITLV archive identifies the scene as A Quran Reader and a Tea Drinker, presumably photographed in Yogyakarta around 1880.
KASSIAN CÉPHAS — PHOTOGRAPHING JAVA
Born in Yogyakarta, Céphas became an important figure in the early history of Indonesian photography.
Working during Dutch colonial rule, he photographed court life, architecture, archaeological monuments, ceremonies, and everyday subjects.
His work offers an extraordinary visual record of nineteenth-century Java, combining European photographic conventions with Javanese cultural settings.
A SCENE ARRANGED FOR THE CAMERA
Although the photograph appears to capture an intimate moment, its setting suggests a carefully arranged studio composition.
The open book, teacup, vessels, and seated figures create an impression of everyday life. Yet we cannot know whether the men were genuinely reading and drinking or posing to represent these activities.
The photograph preserves both a historical scene and the visual conventions through which that scene was presented.
THE DESIGN
This Comfort Colors garment-dyed T-shirt brings a historical photograph into contemporary clothing.
The front features Céphas's original studio portrait.
On the back, elegant ivory typography inspired by nineteenth-century photographic albums reads:
KASSIAN CÉPHAS
A Quran Reader and a Tea Drinker
JAVA · c. 1880
Together, the two sides form a single visual narrative: the image and its historical identification.
ARCHIVAL SOURCE
Kassian Céphas, A Quran Reader and a Tea Drinker, Presumably at Yogyakarta, c. 1880. KITLV Collection, reference 12051.
READING FRAMES — WEARABLE ARCHIVES
Reading Frames explores historical photography, visual culture, and the stories behind archival images.
Wearable Archives brings selected photographs into contemporary clothing.
Reading Frames — History, Reframed.
More details
- 100% ring-spun cotton
- Heavyweight fabric (6.1 oz)
- Relaxed fit
EU GPSR Product Information:
- Manufacturer contact information
- Name: Reading Frames
- Email: contact@support.readingframes.store
- Postal address: PO Box 5696 Santa Monica, CA 90405
- Additional information: This product is made for adults. 2 year warranty in EEA and UK, established by Directive 1999/44/EC.
Quality Guarantee & Returns
- Quality is guaranteed. If there is a print error or visible quality issue, we'll replace or refund it.
- Because the products are made to order, we do not accept general returns or sizing-related returns.
A Quran Reader and a Tea Drinker — Kassian Céphas, c. 1880 | Vintage Photography T-Shirt Size Guide
| Size label | Length | Width | Sleeve length |
|---|---|---|---|
|
S
|
26.62
|
18.25
|
16.25
|
|
M
|
28
|
20.25
|
17.75
|
|
L
|
29.37
|
22
|
19
|
|
XL
|
30.75
|
24
|
20 1/2
|
|
2XL
|
31.62
|
26
|
21.75
|
|
3XL
|
32 1/2
|
27.75
|
23.25
|
|
4XL
|
33 1/2
|
29.75
|
24.63
|
