Figures with Animals and a Chariot on Wall D at Persepolis, 1780

This is an original antique copper engraving, published in 1780, from the second volume of Carsten Niebuhr's travels. The caption reads in Dutch Afbeelding der Figuuren aan den Wand d. Pl. XVIII. and in French Figures Sur le Mur d. Pl. XVIII., meaning "Figures on the wall d" of the plan on plate XVIII.

Four registers of carved figures are copied, divided by bands of rosettes, with tall cypress trees set between the groups. At the upper left a stairway is drawn with a sloping parapet above it, and armed figures with spears stand on its steps. In the top register a man walks beside a large bull, and in the second a horse draws a two wheeled chariot.

In the third register two men lead a pair of rams and another leads a horse, while a group carries folded cloths and rings. In the lowest register a man leads a horse, and a line of figures carries bowls and round vessels. Most of the bearers wear tall pointed or rounded caps, and small numbers are engraved beside the groups. The ends of the registers are lettered a and b. No artist or engraver signature is engraved on this sheet. The plate number Tab: XXII. is engraved at the upper right.

The plate comes from the second volume, Tome Second, of Carsten Niebuhr's Voyage en Arabie & en d'autres Pays circonvoisins, Traduit de l'Allemand, published by S. J. Baalde at Amsterdam and Barthelemy Wild at Utrecht, with the date MDCCLXXX, 1780, on its title page. Carsten Niebuhr (1733 to 1815) was a German born surveyor in Danish service and the only member of the Danish expedition to Arabia (1761 to 1767), sent by King Frederick V of Denmark, to return alive. The account was first published in German at Copenhagen; this is the French translation printed in Amsterdam and Utrecht.

The bottom edge is uneven, with small nicks. Light uneven toning, browner toward the edges. Marked handling soiling along the bottom, left and right edges. Foxing over much of the margin. Folding plate, original center fold as issued.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.