Antique Print of Reba, The King of The Arab People, 1677

Antique print titled 'Beschryving van de vijf-jarige verschijning des Koninks van Arakan, die met groote pragt en heerlikheyt geschiet.' View of the 5 yearly appearance of the King of Arrakan, with great beauty and display. Arrakan, present day Burma in 1660. This print originates from 'Wouter Schoutens, Reys-Togten naar en door Oost-Indien (..)', 2nd. edition, published by Andries van Damme, Amsterdam, 1708. Artists and Engravers: Wouter Schouten (1638-1704) joined the Dutch VOC...

This print is from 'The Military Costume of Turkey. Illustrated by A Series of Engravings. From Drawings made on the Spot. Dedicated by Permission to His Excellency the Minister of the Ottoman Porte to his Britannic Majesty.' London, Published by Thomas M'Lean, Haymarket, (1818). Folio. One of 29 fine handcoloured aquatint plates . Very light offsetting from plate. The original accompanying text of this print is as follows: 'The Mamelukes who till very lately formed the military force of Egypt, were said not to exceed twelve thousand men, and were slaves imported from Circassia and Mingrelia. They were carefully instructed in every exercise of strength and agility, and usually repayed the kindness of their masters, the Beys, with the warmest gratitude and most valiant services. The Mamelukes being trained from their infancy to military exercises, displayed in them uncommon skill. The javelin aimed with precision, was never known but to strike the mark. "The well-tempered blade of Damascus," says Sonnini, "is by them wielded with astonishing dexterity, and in their hands proves a most dreadful weapon." He often observed them try these weapons in the following manner :—A large cushion stuffed with feathers or materials equally soft and flexible, was placed about the height of a man, in such a manner, that the slightest touch would cause it to fall, which they would divide with a single stroke of the sabre, whilst passing it on horseback at full speed. Such astonishing expertness joined to most excellent horsemanship, would, were they acquainted with European tactics, render them invincible; but formidable, as they individually appeared, their prowess became of little effect when opposed to the collective weight of a charge in squadron. Their horses possessed, in an eminent degree, the qualities most useful to man, inexhaustible strength, prodigious speed and inconceivable temperance, to which may be added the most perfect symmetry of form. The dress constantly worn by the inferior Mamelukes, was a pair of large crimson drawers of thick Venetian cloth attached to slippers of red leather, and a greenish cap of a peculiar form, fancifully decorated with a turban. Their usual arms were a pair of pistols...

Great image of an Arab Sheikh Copper-plate engraving by T.Clerk Published by Mackenzie And Dent. 1817 Unframed.

Wonderful copper-plate engraving after Jan Luyken Published by Marten Schagen, Amsterdam. 1724 Text on verso The measurement given is the paper size.