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François Balthazar Solvyns, The Costume of Hindostan: Elucidated by Sixty Coloured Engravings; with Descriptions in English and French, Taken in the Years 1798 and 1799 1799. By Balt. Solvyns, of Calcutta, London: Edward Orme, 1804

254 unnumbered pages, 4 hand-coloured soft-ground etchings and 56 hand-coloured line- or stipple-engraved plates by Scott or 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 rebacked spine with gilt text
38 x 28 x 3.5 cm

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. This edition, and that of 1807, are “based on Solvyn’s earlier work containing 250 plates, published in Calcutta in 1799, A collection of two hundred and fifty coloured etchings descriptive of the manners, customs, and dresses of the Hindoos. Calcutta, 1796-99, originally published in Calcutta in 1799.

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