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Death and Funeral Rites of the Parsis – Rare 1734 Zoroastrian Ritual Engraving
$264.22
£194.60
€220
CA$359.45
A$399.42
CHF 209.30
MX$4,898.23
NOK 2,669.53
SEK 2,511.40
DKK 1,674.83
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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
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