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François Balthazar Solvyns, The Costume of Hindostan: Elucidated by Sixty Choloured Engravings; with Descriptions in English and French, Taken in the Years 1798 and 1799, London: Edward Orme, 1807

246 pages including 60 hand-coloured line and stipple engraved plates, by Scott or T Vivares after François Balthazar Solvyns along with descriptions for each plate in English and French; contemporary full leather-bound with blind stamped gilt ornate border to the front and back boards along with the gilt text and debossed floral pattern at the spine
37 x 27 x 3.5cm

LIST OF PLATES
1. Frontis. An Ooria or Orissa Brahmun, offering his devotions to the Sun / 2. A Chittery / 3. A Dybuck [Astrologer/Astromomer] / 4. An Auhheer, or seller of Milk, Curds, Whey and Buttermilk / 5. Rowanny Bearers, or Chairmen / 6. Tauntees, or Weavers / 7. B'Haut / 8. A Dandy, or Boatman / 9. A Jellee-a, or Fisherman / 10. Brijbasi / 11. Kawra, or Hog-Keepers, with their method of taking Pigs to market / 12. Puckimar, or Bird-Catcher / 13. Sircar / 14. A Jummadar / 15. A Choobdar, or Assahburdar, with a long silver stick, the badge of his office / 16. Kherch-Burdar, or House Purveyor / 17. A B'heeshty or Waterman, carrying water in his Mushuck or Leathern Bag / 18. Hooka-Burdar, or Hooka Purveyor, carrying the Hooka / 19. A Durzee, or Taylor / 20. A Baulber. [Barber] / 21. A Hircarrah. [Messenger] / 22. A Peada, or Footman / 23. Native Coachman to an European / 24. A Syce or Groom / 25. An Aubdar, or Cooler of Water and Wines / 26. Corah-Burdar / 27. A Doorea-a, or Dog Keeper / 28. A Bansee / 29. A Man of Distinction in his Family Dress / 30. A Sircar, dressed in a Courta; and an Eklie over his Shoulders / 31. Bauluck / 32. A behaleea / 33. A Sepoy. [Native Soldier in Native Dress] / 34. A Sepoy [in European Dress] / 35. A Brigbasi / 36. A Woman of Distinction / 37. A Gwallin, or Milk Woman / 38. A Woman of Inferior Rank / 39. A Hidgra, or Hermaphrodite / 40. A Ramganny, or Dancing Girl / 41. A Polye, or Fisherwoman / 42. Beeshnub, Worshipper of Vishnoo the preserving attribute of the diety / 43. An Oordabahoo [Faquir] / 44. Nariel, or Cocoa Nut Hooka / 45. The Hindoo Method of Eating the Paun / 46. A Sunk, or Chank, and Gunta, or Tingaree / 47. A Timboora / 48. A Sittara, or Guittar / 49. A Sarinda, or Violin / 50. Pennauck or Been / 51. Saringee, played at Nautches & c / 52. A Tubla. [Wooden Drum] / 53. A D'Holuc. [Small Drum] / 54. Jultrung.[China Cups] / 55. D'Hauk. / 56. Nagra. [Musical Instrument] / 57. Kaura. [Musical Instrument] / 58. Pukwauz. [Musical Instrument] / 59. Jugo Jhumpo. [Musical Instrument] / 60. Surmungla. [Instrument]

Belgian marine artist Frans Balthazar Solvyns lived in Calcutta between 1791 and 1803 and is considered one of the earliest printmakers in India, besides Thomas Daniell. During his time in India, he documented 18th century Indian culture and habitats, including the people, their occupations, festivals and religious customs. The present lot features 60 hand-coloured line and stipple engraved plates based on Solvyns' sketches on this subject and is a continuation of his earlier work The Manners, Customs and Dresses of the Hindoos, originally published in Calcutta in 1799.

Reference: J R Abbey, Travel in Aquatint and Lithography 1770-1860, p. 429

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