The Rock Reliefs of Naqsh-i Rajab in Persia, 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 bij Nakschi Radsjab. and in French Représentation des figures près de Nakschi Radsjab., both meaning "Figures near Nakschi Radsjab."

The sheet shows two carved scenes, lettered A and B, set against a plain hatched rock face. In A, at the right, a horseman rides to the right on a horse with a flowing mane, wearing a large round headdress with ribbons streaming behind. Behind him stand a group of men in tall caps with long swords hanging at their hips, their hands resting on the hilts.

In B, at the left, separated from A by a narrow upright band, a bearded figure in a rounded headdress and a bearded man in a tall cap holding a staff both take hold of a ring hung with ribbons; an attendant behind raises a fly whisk, two small figures stand at their feet, and further figures stand at the far left with a sword. A recessed panel between the two scenes holds more standing figures. The lower right margin is signed Tringham Sculp, and the plate number Tab. XXXII. is engraved vertically at the upper left, outside the border.

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. Marked handling soiling along the bottom, right and top edges. Foxing over much of the margin. Several larger brown marks. All four corners are present.

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