The Rock Reliefs of Naqsh-i Rustam, Antique Niebuhr 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 te Nakschi Rustam. and in French Représentation des Figures à Nakschi Rustam., both meaning "Figures at Nakschi Rustam."

Two carved panels are copied one above the other. In the upper panel, lettered C, two horsemen face each other with their horses nose to nose, and each reaches out to grasp a large ring held between them. The rider at the left wears a helmet topped by a globe, the rider at the right a tall crown with a cloak billowing behind; fallen heads lie under the hooves. An attendant stands behind the left rider holding up a fly whisk.

In the lower panel, lettered D, a rider in a crown topped by a large globe, with ribbons streaming behind, grasps the raised hand of a standing man in a tunic, while a second man kneels before the horse with his arms held out. Behind the rider, a half figure wearing a peaked cap raises one finger. The horse's trappings are decorated with round ornaments. The lower right margin is signed C: Philips Jz fe, and the plate number Tab: XXXIII. 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 bottom edge. Scattered light foxing in the margin. All four corners are present.

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