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Front and Rear Views of a 19th-Century Female Siberian Shaman in Russia, 1814

About the Item

The two original antique engravings present a detailed look at the ceremonial dress of a Female Shaman from the indigenous peoples of Russia, illustrating both the front and back views. 1. The first engraving depicts the Female Shaman in a standing position, facing the viewer. She is adorned in a long blue dress with red trim and intricate patterns, which is likely indicative of her spiritual role. The dress is complemented with fringes and decorative elements that may hold symbolic meaning within her culture. She holds a tambourine in one hand and a feathered object in the other, both of which are traditional shamanic tools used in rituals and ceremonies for healing, divination, and communication with the spirit world. 2. The second engraving offers a rare view of the back of the Female Shaman's dress, providing a full perspective of her attire. The details on the back part of the dress are just as elaborate as the front, featuring lengthy fringes and possibly amulets or tokens that would be part of her spiritual regalia. Her headgear, with its distinctive upright feathers, serves both a ceremonial purpose and as a symbol of her connection to the spiritual realms. William Alexander’s works, such as these engravings, played a crucial role in recording the diverse cultural heritage of the Russian Empire’s many peoples. The vibrancy and accuracy of these illustrations would have provided one of the only means for people in the West to visualize the traditions and attires of communities they might never encounter in person. As such, these images are a vital part of historical record-keeping, offering not only artistic but also anthropological insights into the cultures represented. Source: The publication "Picturesque Representations of the Dress and Manners of the Russians," which includes sixty-four colored engravings with descriptions. The writer of this work is William Alexander, and it was published by John Murray in 1814.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9.45 in (24 cm)Width: 6.7 in (17 cm)Depth: 0 in (0.02 mm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Paper,Engraved
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1814
  • Condition:
    Very good, given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Right edge rough, but leaving enough space for proper framing. Please study scan carefully.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-13605-4-1 & BG-13605-4-51stDibs: LU3054338703392

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