Items Similar to Death and Funeral Rites of the Parsis – Rare 1734 Zoroastrian Ritual Engraving
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10
Death and Funeral Rites of the Parsis – Rare 1734 Zoroastrian Ritual Engraving
About the Item
Title: Death and Funeral Rites of the Parsis – Rare 1734 Zoroastrian Ritual Engraving
Description:
This striking 18th-century copperplate engraving offers a rare European depiction of Zoroastrian death rituals as practiced by the Parsis of India. Issued around 1734 and part of *The Ceremonies and Religious Customs of Various Nations of the Known World*, this work was part of an Enlightenment-era attempt to document the world’s spiritual diversity. Though filtered through a Western lens, the engravings show a unique glimpse into one of the most intriguing religious rites still practiced today.
The upper panel is titled *Parsis ou Guebre Agonisant, dont l’Ame est reçue par un Chien* (Parsis or dying Guebre, whose soul is received by a dog). This powerful and moving scene depicts a dying man surrounded by attendants and mourning family members. Most notable is the presence of a dog brought to the dying man’s bedside—a reference to the Parsi custom of *sagdīd*, in which a sacred dog is brought near the body to ward off evil and ensure the safe passage of the soul. The interior setting, complete with Persian rugs, columns, and women in traditional dress, adds cultural specificity and emotional gravity.
The lower panel is labeled *Funérailles des Parsis* and presents the Parsi funeral rites, notably the preparation of the deceased for exposure at the *Tower of Silence* (Dakhma). The scene shows mourners gathered as priests and bearers lay the corpse out to be consumed by vultures, in accordance with Zoroastrian teachings about purity and the avoidance of contaminating earth, fire, or water. In the background, domed buildings, city walls, and sacred fires rise in a dramatic and symbolic landscape.
These engravings, likely based on second-hand European accounts, blend observation and imagination. While they occasionally veer into the dramatic, they remain among the earliest visual records of Zoroastrian rituals and are invaluable to historians, anthropologists, and collectors interested in world religions and cultural customs.
Condition report:
Good condition with minor foxing and age-toning, especially along the margins. Plate marks are strong and the image detail remains crisp and clean. No tears or repairs are visible. The sheet is full with wide margins, and the impression is even throughout.
Framing suggestions:
This vertical double-scene engraving lends itself well to a tall frame with a neutral archival mat. A warm ivory or soft tan mat will bring out the aged quality of the paper. A dark wood or ebony frame offers a refined finish that balances the detailed imagery. UV-filtered glass is recommended to preserve the sharpness of the ink and prevent further discoloration. Float mounting can also highlight the plate border and deckled edge.
- Dimensions:Height: 16.54 in (42 cm)Width: 10.24 in (26 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:Paper,Engraved
- Period:1730-1739
- Date of Manufacture:1734
- Condition:Good condition with minor foxing and age-toning, especially along the margins. Plate marks are strong and the image detail remains crisp and clean. No tears or repairs are visible. The sheet is full with wide margins.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-13806-261stDibs: LU3054345016522
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2009
1stDibs seller since 2017
2,439 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Langweer, Netherlands
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllWedding and Fire Baptism of the Parsis – Rare 1734 Zoroastrian Ritual Engraving
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Wedding and Fire Baptism of the Parsis – Rare 1734 Zoroastrian Ritual Engraving
Description:
This remarkable 18th-century copperplate engraving presents two rare and finely r...
Category
Antique 1730s Prints
Materials
Paper
Funeral Rites and Burial of Inca Nobles – 1734 Engraving of Old Peruvian Customa
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Funeral Rites and Burial of Inca Nobles – Rare 1734 Engraving of Peruvian Customs
Description: This detailed 1734 copperplate engraving presents two dramatic scenes depicting...
Category
Antique 1730s Prints
Materials
Paper
Healing and Funeral Rituals of the Paria Natives, imagined in 1734
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Healing and Funeral Rituals of the Paria Natives, imagined in 1734
Description: This striking copperplate engraving, published in 1734 in Bernard Picart’s Cérémonies et Coutu...
Category
Antique 1730s Prints
Materials
Paper
Birth and Naming Rituals of the Banians – Rare 1734 Indian Custom Engraving
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Birth and Naming Rituals of the Banians – Antique 1734 Engraving of Indian Customs
Description:
This rare and evocative copperplate engraving, published in 1734 as part of 'T...
Category
Antique 1730s Prints
Materials
Paper
Catholic Episcopal Rites – Rare 1734 Engraving of Bishop's Ceremonial Duties
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Catholic Episcopal Rites – Rare 1734 Engraving of Bishop's Ceremonial Duties
Description:
This finely executed 18th-century copperplate engraving presents six distinct eccles...
Category
Antique 1730s Prints
Materials
Paper
Quetzalcoatl Worship and Hunting Deity – Rare 1734 Engraving of Aztec Rituals
Located in Langweer, NL
Quetzalcoatl Worship and Hunting Deity – Rare 1734 Engraving of Aztec Rituals
This finely detailed copperplate engraving from 1734 presents two theatrical interpretations of religio...
Category
Antique 1730s Prints
Materials
Paper
You May Also Like
"The Death of General Wolfe" Engraving by William Woollett, after Benjamin West
By Benjamin West
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is one of the most important historical prints ever published, "The Death of General Wolfe," an engraving by William Woollett, after the painting of the same title by Benja...
Category
Antique 1770s English Georgian Prints
Materials
Paper
Rare Pair of Hunting Prints the Death & the Chase 1819 T Sutherland Sculpt
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of rare hunting prints titled The Death and The Chase by T Sutherland Sculpt dated 1819
A very good looking and decorative pair...
Category
Antique 1810s English Regency Prints
Materials
Canvas, Wood
$1,650 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Broadside Dance of Death, “Stirb…”, Conrad Meyer, Master Engraving
By J. Meyer
Located in Norwich, GB
Dance of Death Broadside
Todtentanz Einblattdruck
Meyer, Conrad 1618-1689
Stirb, eh du sterbst, dass nicht verderbst
[Der Todesengel zwischen Laste...
Category
Antique 1650s Swiss Renaissance Prints
Materials
Paper
Baxter Print of the Funeral of The Duke of Wellington Outside St Pauls Cathedral
By Baxter
Located in London, GB
Rather charming Baxter print of the funeral of the late Duke of Wellington outside St Paul's Cathedral in 1852.
Hand coloured Baxter print with the usual stamped impression, proving...
Category
Antique 1850s British Prints
Materials
Glass, Hardwood
A.A De Correggio Engraving of the Virgin and the Child
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful engraving representing "The Virgin and Child with Saints Jerome and Maire-Madeliane", after an oil on canvas by Antonio Allegri of Correggio (1489-1534), master of the renaissance, engraved by Robert Strange...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Prints
Materials
Paper
Rare Burlesque Engraving print Rancor Cuts the Hat of Ragotin, 18th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Engraving by Louis de Surgis de Surugue after a painting by Jacques Dumont dit Le Romain.
It is part of a series of 16 engravings illustrating "Le Rom...
Category
Antique Early 18th Century French Prints
Materials
Paper
