Scarce c. 1898 finely rendered real photo (not a postcard) of a Moro woman in the Philippine Islands!  This image is unusual, in that the female is fully clothed in some sort of tribal or ceremonial dress, as opposed being bare-breasted, which was the norm for depictions of females.  The Moro name is used to describe Muslim tribes from the Sulu Archipelago and Mindanao Island in the Southern Philippines. There are four major Moro tribes, all of Malay origin; the men have a reputation as fierce warriors.

Measures approximately 4 x 6 inches and probably photographed by G. Ball, whose Filipino work we have many examples of.  (This image has the same handwriting and the same feel as his other works.)  Ball was known to be in the Philippines as early as 1898 and perhaps as early as 1895.  A great early image from the Filipino traditional culture, sharply focused, finely detailed and with great clarity.  Very good condition, save for minor corner wear and slight creasing often found in older photographs!