Polygamy Collection (#2)

South Africa - A Veiled Zulu bride. Date: circa 1920s

The Former king of Dahomey and his wives
Behanzin, the Former king of Dahomey and his wives in exile in Algeria. Behanzin (1844-1906) is considered the eleventh King of Dahomey (now Benin)

Mormon wives of Brigham Young at the theatre
The many wives of the Mormon leader, Brigham Young, attending the Mormon Theater in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Kenya, East Africa - Man with his two wives - it appears he may have a false (artificial) left leg (which would explain the walking stick). Date: circa 1910s

Theebaw of Burma
THEEBAW (THIBAW) King Theebaw of Burma with his evil Queen Supayalat (centre) and her sister. Defeated in third Burmese War. Date: 1858 - 1916

The Threatened Slump in Husbands: post WW1 polgamy imagined
The Bystander takes a humourous look in 1915 at the marriage problems that may arise after the war is over. C.E Peto imagines the social consequences of polgamy becoming permissable in the wake of

CHINA: PALACE GARDENS. Yang Ti, Sui emperor of China (604-618), riding with his wives in the gardens of his palace. Chinese painting, 18th century

MORMONS: POLYGAMY, 1883. The Great Sin of the Century. Uncle Sam has difficulties enforcing the Edmunds-Tucker Act of 1882, which declared polygamy a felony and revoked the polygamists right to vote

MORMON CARTOON, 1882. Violators of the Laws of the Land. An 1882 American newspaper cartoon by Thomas Nast on George Q. Cannons removal as a member of the U.S

MORMON CARTOON, 1906. The Automormon. Expressly designed for family use in Utah. Cartoon, 1906, Louis M. Glackens

BRIGHAM YOUNG (1801-1877). American Mormon leader. Brigham Young From Behind His Breastworks Charging The United States Troops. Lithograph cartoon, c1858

NAST: MORMON CARTOON, 1882. Pure White Mormon Immigration on the Atlantic Coast
NAST: MORMON CARTOON, 1882. Pure White " Mormon Immigration" on the Atlantic Coast. American cartoon, 1882, by Thomas Nast

Mormon Family
A Mormon family demonstrate the faiths tendency towards polygamy, circa 1890. (Photo by Kean Collection/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

Egyptian Fellahs Women (and child)
Egyptian Fellahs (a peasant, farmer or agricultural labourer) Women (and child). Date: circa 1910s

American Mormon leader. Oil over a daguerreotype, c1847, by Mathew Brady
BRIGHAM YOUNG (1801-1877). American Mormon leader. Oil over a daguerreotype, c1847, by Mathew Brady

MORMONS: POLYGAMY, 1883. The only sure Way. An armed Uncle Sam approaches the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City on stilts to enforce the Edmunds-Tucker Act of 1882

FRANK LESLIE (1821-1880). American illustrator, journalist and publisher. A visit to Brigham Young in Salt Lake City, Utah, during Mr. and Mrs. Leslies coast-to-coast railroad trip in 1877

MORMON WIVES, 1875. A Mormon man arriving at home with his fifth wife. Wood engraving, American, 1875

MORMON TRIAL, 1871. The trial in Utah, 1871, of Thomas Hawkins for adultery, committed in polygamy. Wood engraving from a contemporary American newspaper

MORMON WIVES, 1875. Mormondom - A Fresh Supply of Wives - Going out to the Settlements. Wood engraving, American, 1875

MORMONS: POLYGAMY, 1883. The Mormon Question. Uncle Sam, in the form of a battered police officer, tries to enforce Edmunds-Tucker Act of 1882

MORMON DEMONSTRATION, 1879. Mormon women demonstrating in favor of polygamy during a parade in honor of Daniel H. Wells in Salt Lake City, Utah, 6 May 1879. Wood engraving, American, 1879

MORMON UKASE, 1875. Reading a Ukase (edict) in a Mormon Settlement. Wood engraving, American, 1875

CENTRAL AFRICANS. Polygamist Djoumba and his wives. Wood engraving, late 19th century

MORMON FAMILY, 1874. A Mormon family driving to a conference meeting. Wood engraving, American, 1874

MORMON WITH WIVES, 1870. Wood engraving, American, 1870

BRIGHAM YOUNG (1801-1877). American religious leader. Brigham Young and his wives at home in Salt Lake City, Utah: colored American engraving, 1857

BRIGHAM YOUNG (1801-1877). American Mormon leader. The residence of Brigham Young at the Great Salt Lake City, Utah. Wood engraving, English, 1861

Brigham Young - Mormon Leader
Brigham Young (1801-1877) - Leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and American settler. President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (The Mormons) from 1847 until 1877

Mormon children of Brigham Young at the theatre
The many children of the Mormon leader, Brigham Young, attend the Mormon Theater in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

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Polygamy, a practice deeply rooted in history and culture, has been observed in various civilizations across the globe. From the Zulu warrior and his five wives to Bahram Gur's escapades in different palaces, it has taken on diverse forms throughout time. In ancient times, Bahram Gur, a legendary Persian king from the 10th century AD, was known for his multiple marriages. Whether it was him residing in the White Palace on Friday or indulging himself in the Yellow Palace on Sunday, Bahram Gur's love affairs were documented meticulously. The Khamsa manuscripts from that era provide us with glimpses into this fascinating aspect of his life. Moving forward to more recent times, Brigham Young stands as an emblematic figure associated with polygamy. As depicted in published prints and photographs dating back to the 19th century, Young is shown surrounded by numerous wives at home or engaged in social gatherings such as dinner parties. These visual representations offer insight into how polygamous relationships were perceived during that period. Polygamy extends beyond specific individuals; even mythical figures like King Thespios sought to unite his fifty daughters through marriage. This tale showcases how they are be intertwined with mythology and folklore. Furthermore, historical accounts shed light on other prominent figures who practiced polygamy. Charlemagne himself had four wives according to lithographs depicting him alongside these women. However varied its manifestations may be across cultures and eras, one cannot ignore that polygamy often raises questions regarding gender equality and societal norms. It sparks debates about power dynamics within relationships and challenges traditional notions of monogamous unions. While some view it as a cultural tradition or religious practice deeply ingrained within certain communities, others criticize it for perpetuating inequality among genders or promoting objectification of women. As we explore these historical instances - whether through depictions of Solomon succumbing to idolatry or the daughters of Thespios.