Gezelschap aan de thee bij de familie Poolman-Beyne op tabaksplantage Mariendal van de Deli Maatschappij te Medan c. 1900 - 1920

This anonymous photograph, taken sometime between 1900 and 1920, captures a scene of leisure on the tobacco plantation Mariendal in Medan, Sumatra. The image shows three figures, likely members of the Poolman-Beyne family, enjoying afternoon tea in wicker chairs on a porch. The photograph is a snapshot of colonial life in Indonesia, highlighting the privileged existence of European plantation owners amidst the lush tropical landscape. The presence of an automobile in the background adds a touch of modernity to the scene. The image is a valuable historical artifact, offering insight into the social dynamics and material culture of the Dutch East Indies during the early 20th century.