Hieroglyphs and Figures from a Granite Chest, Niebuhr Plate XXXIII, 1776

This is an original antique copper engraving from 1776, plate XXXIII of volume 1 of Carsten Niebuhr's Voyage en Arabie. The caption reads, in Dutch and then in French, Beeld-Schriften op eene Kist van Granit. and Hierogliphes sur une Caisse de Granit., meaning "Hieroglyphs on a Chest of Granite".

The top of the copied surface carries a frieze of recumbent jackals on low bases alternating with groups of tall upright signs, and beneath it a horizontal band of hieroglyphs with birds, a seated figure and an enclosure among them. At the left seven ruled columns of signs run down to the foot of the panel, filled with birds, seated figures, eyes, stars and other signs. The right side is open and given to large figures in solid tone. A great arm rises from a head at the base of the panel, and on its raised hand stands a small figure pouring a stream of small marks down over a standing figure crowned with a disk. A short column of signs runs between them. Further right are a bird shape and a standing figure with a five pointed star above its head, and higher up a dark round disk. The right edge of the stone is drawn as a ragged break.

Under the lower right corner of the image is lettered "C. J. de Huyser, direx." The plate number Tab: XXXIII. is engraved upright along the right margin, beside the border.

The sheet comes from the first volume of Carsten Niebuhr's Voyage en Arabie & en d'autres Pays circonvoisins, the Tome Premier, translated from the German and issued at Amsterdam by S. J. Baalde and at Utrecht by J. van Schoonhoven and Comp., with the date MDCCLXXVI on its title page. 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.

Light uneven toning, browner toward the edges. Handling soiling along the right edge. A few small foxing spots in the margin. Slight wear at the bottom left and bottom right corners.

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