SET OF FOUR PRINTS PORTRAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

a) Qaplious
Hand-coloured etching on paper
Print size: 14 x 9.25 in (35.5 x 23.7 cm)
Sheet size: 17.25 x 12.5 in (43.7 x 32 cm)
Inscribed "Solvyns 1810" (lower left)

Plate 6.5 from the 2nd Volume of Les Hindoûs, Paris: Chez L'Auteur, 1808-1812

b) Ramsinga
Hand-coloured etching on paper
Print size: 14.25 x 9.25 in (36 x 23.7 cm)
Sheet size: 17.25 x 12.5 in (43.7 x 31.7 cm)
Inscribed "Solvyns 1810" (lower left)

Plate 12.2 from the 2nd Volume of Les Hindoûs, Paris: Chez L'Auteur, 1808-1812

c) Sournae
Hand-coloured etching on paper
Print size: 14.25 x 9.25 in (36 x 23.7 cm)
Sheet size: 17.25 x 12.5 in (43.7 x 31.7 cm)
Inscribed "Solvyns 1810" (lower left)

Plate 12.4 from the 2nd Volume of Les Hindoûs, Paris: Chez L'Auteur, 1808-1812

d) Moudjirah
Hand-coloured etching on paper
Print size: 14.25 x 9.25 in (36 x 23.7 cm)
Sheet size: 17.25 x 12.5 in (43.7 x 31.7 cm)
Inscribed "Solvyns 1810" (lower left)

Plate 11.5 from the 2nd Volume of Les Hindoûs, Paris: Chez L'Auteur, 1808-1812

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.

Solvyns, residing in Calcutta from 1791 until 1803, produced a remarkable series of engravings depicting the people and culture he observed. First published in Calcutta in 1796 and 1799, and then in a four volume edition, Les Hindous, published in Paris, 1808-12, the engravings include portrayals of 36 musical instruments as well as prints of the nautch and a "Hindu dancing girl". These engravings represent, in most instances, the first illustrations of the instruments and the manner in which they are played. The present lot features four such prints portraying musical instruments.

(Set of four)

These works will be shipped unframed

NON-EXPORTABLE