Photo of Eastern Costumes, what do you think?!

Apologies for writing my tag name all over the photo, but I'm feeling a bit paranoid at the moment!

I'd love some opinions on this image, which came in a tatty old album filled with photographs and prints. Measures 14.5 x 10cm and is firmly stuck to a cardboard page, with 'Eastern Costumes' scrawled underneath.

The original owner appears to have come from Norfolk, England and the seller I bought it from suggested some connected to photographer Francis Frith, although I don't have evidence for that.

So... what does it look like to you? Authentic? Victorian fancy dress party? Theatre related? Mass produced photo to show the costumes (I can't find another online but that doesn't mean there aren't any...)? What does the upturned crescent moon symbol mean? Masonic?

Hope you find it as intriguing as I do!

 

Just found this, complete with similar costumes and upward pointing moon!

My photo looks like it could be the Freemasons...

http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail...dleeastern-costumes-for-a-picture-id640466973

The New York Mecca Temple's officers wear 'Middle-Eastern' costumes for a portrait.

 

Two of the figures in this section do not look like they would have been allowed to become members of the Eastern rite:

 

Those were probably men as well. It is a fancy dress or amateur theatre thing, including fake beards.

 

One of them is not in Eastern Costume:



I am starting to wonder if this is not a collage of pictures that was rephotographed to be one image. Agree many of the beards appear to be false. Here & there see places that hint figures may have been cut out & overlaid. Could just be my eyes & poor sense of depth in photos.

 

To me, the many obviously fake beards lead to the idea that they were "dressing up" in costumes. Some of the costumes may possibly be authentic clothing, but I don't see this as a group wearing their regular clothing. And, the "Eastern Costumes" written on it could mean either way. "Costume" is a word with more than one meaning.

Also, what about the guy with the Western-style suit?

 

Another bunch of Shriners:

 

The Order of the Mystic Shrine is NOT associated with Masons, free or otherwise.

Neat photo, though.

 

Thanks! I'm not all that familiar with this kind of thing... in fact, have never heard of the Mystic Shrine (I'll look it up)! I gather there are Masonic lodges, and secret societies, and different kinds of groups like this?

So perhaps the false beards are an attempt at disguise? 'Santa Claus' springs to mind! I would definitely be thinking along theatrical lines if it weren't for the crescent moons, which feel almost pagan.

Also, I agree they are all men...

 

Not disguises. Costumes for events. The Odd Fellows have attics full of similar stuff. Very mysterious. Back in the 19th century, before iPhones, iPods and streaming video, there were lots of fraternal organizations. About the only ones you hear about now are Masons, Odd Fellows, and now there are Rotarians and Kiwanians. You can find lists online:List_of_general_fraternities

 

I agree about collage concept. Check the 2 men on either side holding staffs. Not only are they much taller than the others, their heads are 2-3 times larger. That seems disproportionate to me, you would expect people of larger stature to have a larger head, but that seems too much of a disparity to me.

 

Thanks for the link . I've heard of the Freemasons of course, but the rest are a bit of a mystery to me. From the little I've just read there seems to have been some overlap with all of these societies, but they evolved in different ways. Fascinating.

I see what you mean, but I'm not convinced.... I'll take a close look at a higher resolution. Is there an area of the photo that seems particularly suspicious to you?

I'm thinking the photo dates to the 1890s (which fits with the images in the album).

 

Boys have always wanted to have their "secret clubs." They all have a social component (going to the lodge or clubhouse for a few drinks with the boys), some a religious component (the Masons' base their rituals and iconography on Christianity), many a charitable component (doing good works like the Shriner's Hospitals.) The Masons had a reputation as "the elite" of society and government, secretly running things for the benefit of their members. Ever read or see The DaVinci Code?

 

I know nothing about photography, but the right arm on the man in western dress and the left arm of the gent with staff on the far left of photo seem to be so cleanly imposed on those standing next to them. The 3 seated in front seem to be what I would expect to see in a photo.

 

Yes, but it's a while ago now and maybe I didn't read it deeply enough!

According to the Wikipedia page, the UK didn't have as many secret societies as the US, for instance. I've been google-hopping and came across Aleister Crowley's Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Very mysterious!

I wonder if the contrast is too high in the scan, making the image look a little unreal? The lighter/brighter areas do look a bit clean and over-exposed. I've re-scanned and taken any adjustments off:

 

This brings to mind something I was going to mention earlier. There is a woman in this photo. That seems somewhat unusual for the types of organizations we are considering. Many of them have women's orgs also connected, but... to have one in the same photo?

I've been wondering if it might be some sort of theatrical group but am not at all sure how one would be able to tell.

 

There are at least 2 people in women's dress, but I don't think there are actual females under those veils.

 

He forgot his costume, but since he financed the whole thing, he had to be in the picture.

 

You mean the two with partial face coverings! Duh, I missed the one in the patterned outfit.

 

And Bronwen already alluded to those two. I missed it!