Procession of Figures on Wall C at Persepolis, Antique Print, 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 C. Pl. XVIII. and in French Figures sur le Mur C. Pl. XVIII., meaning "Figures on the wall C" of the plan on plate XVIII.

The sculpture is copied in four long registers, arranged in two pairs, the two registers of each pair divided by a band of rosettes. Rank after rank of men stand in line, in long coats or shorter belted tunics, most of them in tall fluted caps and some in rounded hats. Many hold the hand of the man ahead, and others carry folded cloths, vessels, bags and small objects. At the right end of the two upper registers a figure stands holding a spear.

The ends of the registers are marked with the small letters a and b, and the capital A is engraved at the right of each of the two upper registers. The ground behind the figures is shaded in close vertical hatching so the carved figures stand out pale against it. The lower right margin is signed C. J: de Huyser, direx:, and the plate number Tab: XXI. 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.

Light uneven toning, browner toward the edges. Handling soiling along the left, right and top edges. Scattered light foxing in the margin. Folding plate, original center fold as issued. All four corners are present.

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