Frans Balthazar Solvyns
(1760 - 1824)
Les Hindous: Ou Description De Leurs Moeurs, Coutumes Et Ceremonies
FRANS BALTHAZAR SOLVYNS, Les Hindous: Ou Description de Leurs Moeurs, Coutumes et Ceremonies, Paris: Chez l'Auteur & H. Nicolle, 1808-1812
(Set of 4 volumes)
Half-titles in volume 1 only, titles with hand-coloured vignettes of views and a portrait of Solvyns, 290 of 292 coloured etched plates, 34 double-page mounted on guards, text in French and English, index leaf at end of each volume
Contemporary marbled boards
57 x 43 x 4.5 cm (each)
This four-volume compilation comprises texts in French and English, as well as detailed visuals in the form of coloured plates, describing and depicting the costumes and customs of the Hindu community in Calcutta. Written and drawn by Frans Balthazar Solvyns - a Belgian marine artist who arrived in India in the 1790s and immersed himself over the next decade in documenting the lives of the people - this series is known for its accurate and detailed portrayal and was used as a source for many other works on the subject.
Solvyns originally published a set of 250 plates in Calcutta in 1799, titled A Collection of Two Hundred and Fifty Coloured Etchings Descriptive of the Manners, Customs, and Dress of the Hindoos. This publication, however, was unsuccessful. In 1804, after departing from India and moving to France, Solvyns redrew the plates, adding more, and published them from 1808-12 as a series of large folios in 48 parts, titled Les Hindous.
The present lot of four volumes includes 290 (of the original 292) coloured etchings, and each volume explores different themes: the first is devoted to professions; the second to dance, music and customs; the third volume depicts transportation and entertainment, and the fourth looks at native flora and fauna. Each plate is accompanied by French text, as well as an English translation by Solvyns' wife, Mary Anne Greenwood.
LIST OF PLATES
VOLUME I
1. Title page
2. Mohabaurut-er-Shobha or the explaining of the text and commentaries of the Mohabaurut by a Brahmun (double page)
3. Sroterys Brahmuns
4. Kanoge Brahmun
5. Drawers Brahmuns
6. Brijbasis Brahmuns
7. Ooriahs or Orissahs Brahmuns
8. Rhaumien-Gauyin. Brahmuns chanting the exploits of Rheum (double page)
9. Rajah Hindoo Prince at his Prayers
10. Rajah in full dress
11. K'huttery Landholder
12. Byce Merchant
13. Soodder Servant
14. Hurry-Sung-Kertun (double page)
15. Dybuck, Astronomer
16. B'haut Puffer, Flatterer
17. Byde, Physician
18. Causto, Writer
19. Joogee, Cloth-Merchant, Weaver
20. Raush-Jatrah. Celebration of the Loves of Kistna (double page)
21. Nauhyr, Milkseller, Milkman
22. Chassa-Dobas. Rice-Threshers
23. Chassah-Khyberts. Gardeners
24. Augrys. Ploughmen
25. Berage. Cultivator of pawn
26. D'jolen Jatrah, Swinging of Kistna (double page)
27. Tantys. Weavers
28. Tchankarys. Workers of shells
29. Koumars. Smiths (or Blacksmiths)
30. Qomars. Potters
31. Kansauris. Copper-Smiths
32. Routh-Jatrah. Procession of the Gods in their car (double page)
33. Sonar-Bunnyas. Money-changers
34. Hulwyes. Pastry-cooks
35. Mayras. Confectioners
36. Gund Bunnyas. Grocers
37. Tillys. Retailers
38. Chaun-Jatrah. Celebration of the Bath of Juggernaut (double page)
39. Palanquin Carriers of the Ooriah Cast
40. Carriers of the Rowanny Cast
41. Doolees, or Carriers of the cast of Bengalees
42. Jellees, or Carriers of the cast of Fishermen
43. Gwallahs. Cow-herds
44. Dole-Jatrah. Celebration of the Orgies of Kistna (double page)
45. Rajpoots
46. Rauwuts
47. Brijbasis, a Hindoo Tribe
48. Sics, a Hindoo Tribe
49. Mahrattas, a Hindoo Tribe
50. Basso-Jun. The throwing the images of the Gods into the water (double page)
51. Maulys, Flowermen
52. Chooters. Carpenters
53. Dobys. Washermen
54. Dandys. Boatmen
55. Jelle-As. Fishermen
56. J'haump. Hindoes throwing themselves on Knives and Swords (double page)
57. Koalhoos. Oilmen
58. Kapaulys. Rope-makers
59. Chunharys. Preparers of fine Lime
60. Soonrees. Manufacturers and Dealers in Wine
61. Seulys. Makers of Toddy
62. Nila-Pooja. Various expiations of the Hindoos (double page)
63. Nauys. Shaving barbers
64. Kawns. Hindi Singers
65. Mauls. Snake-catchers
66. Puttooas. Painters
67. Doams. Basket-makers
68. Churrack-Pooja. Hindoes swinging in expiation of their sins double page)
69. Poads. A low class of Servants
70. Mooches. Tanners, Shoe-makers
71. Haurys. Nightmen
72. Moorda-Shoos. Undertakers, removers of Corpses
73. Kawras. Hog-keepers
VOLUME II
74. Title page
75. Hindoo buildings (double page)
76. A Hindoo of rank of in his undress
77. A Hindoo of inferior rank
78. A Hindoo of the lowest rank
79. Behalee-a, the primitive Hindoo soldier
80. The Chourti, another sort of dress
81. Nautch. A Hindoo dance
82. A Woman of distinction
83. A Woman of inferior rank
84. A Woman of low rank
85. Gallon. Milk-woman
86. Agooree, a proscribed Woman
87. Durgah-Poojah (double page)
88. A woman in full dress
89. Ramjanny, a dancing girl.br.90. Hidgra, an Hermaphrodite
91. Seapoys. Soldiers
92. Baulk, a dancing boy
93. A View of the Pagoda of Calleegaut (double page)
94. Purrum-hungse, Penitent
95. Dundee, another sort of Faquir
96. Soonassee
97. Beeshnub. A devotee
98. Nanuk-punthy
99. Ooddoobahoos and other Faquirs (double page)
100. Ab'dhoot, a penitent naked
101. Ramanundy. A devotee of the God Ram
102. Bermacharry. Another sort of devotee
103. Naugus. Another kind of Faquirs
104. A faquir at his prayers
105. Behaho, or marriage (double page)
106. Sunk & G'unta, musical instruments
107. Kunser. Another instrument
108. Tumboora
109. Kuplyans, or Been
110. Pennauck
111. Jaupaun, or Munsah Poojah (double page).br.112. Sittar, or Guittar
113. Saringee
114. Sarinda
115. Omorti
116. Oorni
117. Saupereah. Snake catchers (double page)
118. D'hauck
119. D'hola
120. Khole, or Mirden
121. D'holuk
122. Tubla
123. Shoho-Gomon. A Woman burning herself with the corpse of her husband (double page).
124. Joorghaje, a musical instrument
125. Tichora, a musical instrument
126. Pucwauz
127. Nagra
128. Kaura
129. Onnoo-Gomon, or Onnoo-Mutah. The wife burning herself with some of her husband's property (double page)
130. Dump
131. Doyra
132. Jugo, Jhumpo
133. Surmungla
134. K'hunjery
135. Shoho-Gomon. A Woman leaping into the flames to the corpse of her husband (double page)
136. Kurtaul
137. Kaunsy
138. Jultrung
139. Munjeerah
140. J'haunjree
141. Choho-Gomon. The wife of an Hindoo buried alive (double page)
142. Ramsinga
143. Baunck
144. Soorna
145. Tobrie
146. Bunsee
VOLUME III
147. Title page
148. North-Wester (double page) [Maritime plate]
149. A Pinnace or Yatch
150. Feal-Chara
151. Moor-Punker
152. Budgerow
153. Baawalee-a
154. The coming in of the Baum or Boar (double page)
155. Pettoo-a
156. Pansway
157. Khela or Loll Dingee
158. Dingee
159. Muga-Chara
160. Poulo Penang (double page)
161. Dony
162. Jellee-a Dingee
163. Seringee
164. Ekgachee
165. Gunga
166. View of Ballasore Roads (double page)
167. Grab
168. Bangles
169. Pataily
170. Kautry
171. Balaum
172. Ferry, or passage on the Ganges (double page)
173. Brig
174. Wolack
175. Kose [MISSING]
176. Pulsar [MISSING]
177. Hola
178. Gunga-Jatra, or Mullo-Pray. Hindoos Dying (double page)
179. Sloop
180. Towboat
181. Burr
182. Gudwaree
183. Yet Dingee
184. Elephants and Camels (double page)
185. Ruth, or Chariot
186. Gary
187. Ekka
188. Rahhoo
189. Hackery
190. Bengali Road (double page)
191. Chowpaul
192. J'halledar
193. Mohafa
194. Dooly
195. Ladoo-Byle
196. The Black Town at Calcutta (double page)
197. Horse richly caparisoned, and a Tattou
198. Mejanah
199. Long Palanquin
200. Boutcha
201. Another sort of Palanquin
202. School (double page)
203-206. [Assorted] Narwal Hooka(s)
207. Chillum
208. Hindi Bazaar (double page)
209. Snake Hooka
210. Gourgoury Hooka
211. Cullyaun Hooka
212. Cheroot
213. Pawn
214. European buildings at Calcutta (double page)
215. Hindoes conversations
216. Jugglers
217. Punches and other games
218. Of the Nations most known in Hindoostan
219. Vessels of all sorts
VOLUME IV
220. Title page
221. Bannyan
222. Sircar
223. Jummadar
224. Chaubdar
225. Soonta Burdar
226. Khaunsamaun
227. Durwan
228. Serdar
229. Kidmudgar
230. Hooka-Burdar
231. Kherch-Burdar
232. Chowry-Burdar
233. B'heesty, Waterman
234. Doby, Washerman.br.235. Maukkun-Walla
236. Booty-Walla
237. Durzee, Taylor
238. Clashy
239. Coachman
240. Syce, Groom
241. Gassyara
242. Mushauljee. Linckboy
243. Doorea
244. Chokeedar
245. Hircarah
246. Peadah
247. Baulber
248. Hajaum
249. Aubdar
250. Bawerchee, Cook
251. Mater
252. Corah-Burdar
253. Ayah
254. Another Ayah
255. Dye, Nurse
256. Materanny
257. The Tamarine Tree
258. The Mango Tree
259. The Jac Tree
260. The Coco, and other Palm Trees
261. The Banana Tree
262. The Bambou Tree
263. Rice
264. The Sugar Cane
265. Mustard
266. Cotton
267. Indigo
268. Cochineal
269. The Buffalo
270. The Tiger
271. Ourang-Outang
272. The Guenou
273. The Jachal
274. The Bengal Dog
275. Crocodile
276. Serpent
277. Another species of Serpent
278. Scolopender, or Centipede
279. Musk Rat
280. Topsy Matchi
281. The Old Man, or a bird of prey
282. Vulture
283. Miope
284. The Fox-Bat
285. Kankalat
286. Cariar
287. Heads. Hindoos of the First Cast. Braumun. (2 figs)
288. Heads. Hindoos of the Second Cast. Cuttery. (2 figs)
289. Heads. Hindoos of the Third Cast. Byce. (2 figs)
290. Heads. Hindoos of the Fourth Cast. Soodder. (2 figs)
291. Inhabitants of Upper Hindoostan (2 figs)
292. A Mogul, Man and Woman
Reference: J R Abbey, Travel in Aquatint and Lithography 1770-1860, 430