Important Notice

More Images

FRANS BALTAZAR SOLVYNS, The Costume of Hindostan: Elucidated by Sixty Coloured Engravings; with Descriptions in English and French, taken in the years 1798 and 1799, London: Edward Orme, 1804

246 pages including 57 of 60 hand-coloured line and stipple engraved plates (3 missing), by Scott or T Vivares after Solvyns along with descriptions for each plate in English and French
Later quarter-bound leather with front and back blackboards
37 x 28 x 3.2 cm

Belgian marine artist Frans Baltazar Solvyns lived in Calcutta between 1791 and 1803 and is considered one of the earliest printmakers in India, besides Thomas Daniell. During his time in India, he documented 18th-century Indian culture and habitats, including the people, their occupations, festivals and religious customs. The present lot features 57 of 60 hand-coloured line and stipple engraved plates based on Solvyns sketches of this subject and is a continuation of his earlier work The Manners, Customs and Dresses of the Hindoos (lot 101) originally published in Calcutta in 1799.

LIST OF PLATES

1. Frontis. An Ooria or Orissa Brahmun, offering his devotions to the Sun
2. A Chittery
3. A Dybuck [Astrologer/Astromomer]
4. An Auhheer, or seller of Milk, Curds, Whey and Buttermilk
5. Rowanny Bearers, or Chairmen
6. Tauntees, or Weavers
7. B'Haut
8. A Dandy, or Boatman
9. A Jellee-a, or Fisherman
10. Brijbasi
11. Kawra, or Hog-Keepers, with their method of taking Pigs to market
12. Puckimar, or Bird-Catcher
13. Sircar
14. A Jummadar
15. A Choobdar, or Assahburdar, with a long silver stick, the badge of his office
16. Kherch-Burdar, or House Purveyor
17. A B'heeshty or Waterman, carrying water in his Mushuck or Leathern Bag
18. Hooka-Burdar, or Hooka Purveyor, carrying the Hooka
19. A Durzee, or Taylor
20. A Baulber. [Barber]
21. A Hircarrah. [Messenger]
22. A Peada, or Footman
23. Native Coachman to an European
24. A Syce or Groom
25. An Aubdar, or Cooler of Water and Wines
26. Corah-Burdar
27. A Doorea-a, or Dog Keeper
28. A Bansee
29. A Man of Distinction in his Family Dress
30. A Sircar, dressed in a Courta; and an Eklie over his Shoulders
31. Bauluck
32. A behaleea
33. A Sepoy. [Native Soldier in Native Dress] [MISSING]
34. A Sepoy [in European Dress]
35. A Brigbasi
36. A Woman of Distinction
37. A Gwallin, or Milk Woman
38. A Woman of Inferior Rank
39. A Hidgra, or Hermaphrodite
40. A Ramganny, or Dancing Girl
41. A Polye, or Fisherwoman
42. Beeshnub, Worshipper of Vishnoo the preserving attribute of the diety
43. An Oordabahoo [Faquir]
44. Nariel, or Cocoa Nut Hooka
45. The Hindoo Method of Eating the Paun
46. A Sunk, or Chank, and Gunta, or Tingaree
47. A Timboora
48. A Sittara, or Guittar
49. A Sarinda, or Violin
50. Pennauck or Been
51. Saringee, played at Nautches & c
52. A Tubla. [Wooden Drum]
53. A D'Holuc. [Small Drum]
54. Jultrung.[China Cups]
55. D'Hauk. [MISSING]
56. Nagra. [Musical Instrument]
57. Kaura. [Musical Instrument]
58. Pukwauz. [Musical Instrument]
59. Jugo Jhumpo. [Musical Instrument] [MISSING]
60. Surmungla. [Instrument]

Reference: J R Abbey, Travel in Aquatint and Lithography 1770-1860, 429