Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11

Healing and Funeral Rituals of the Paria Natives, imagined in 1734

$224.07
£167.72
€190
CA$308.38
A$343.72
CHF 180.34
MX$4,197.43
NOK 2,283.50
SEK 2,158.25
DKK 1,446.41

About the Item

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 Coutumes Religieuses de tous les Peuples du Monde, offers a European interpretation of indigenous practices in Paria, a coastal region historically associated with Venezuela. The plate is divided into two rich vignettes portraying imagined healing and funerary customs under the titles *Manière dont les Sauvages de Paria gouvernent leurs Malades* and *Danse des Sauvages de Paria autour des Mourans et leurs Cérémonies Funèbres*. In the upper scene, the artist depicts a dramatic communal effort to treat illness. A central figure, reclining and weak, is being bathed or anointed by members of their community beside a stream. Around them, other figures perform gestures that appear ritualistic, while in the distance a group dances around a large fire, possibly in a trance or invoking healing spirits. The naked bodies, expressive poses, and tropical setting reflect the European artistic conventions of the time, where "exotic" rituals were sensationalized and interpreted with little cultural accuracy. The lower engraving presents a vivid funerary ritual. A corpse is being lowered into a grave while others surround the site performing ritual acts: pouring liquid offerings, gesturing in grief, or dancing in the background. Some figures carry the dead in a ceremonial manner, while others display mournful or reverent expressions. The scene, though speculative in accuracy, captures an Enlightenment-era desire to catalogue the spiritual life of non-European peoples with awe and curiosity. As with many engravings from this celebrated work, the artist and publisher aimed not only to educate but to fascinate European audiences with scenes from remote cultures, often filtered through a Christian moral or artistic lens. This antique print is well preserved, with strong contrast and excellent impression. The sheet has mild toning along the edges and a few handling creases near the margins, but the engraved image area remains clean and crisp. Framing suggestion: Display this print in a warm wood frame or dark walnut profile with a natural ivory or light tan mat to complement its historic tone. Ideal for collections of early ethnography, colonial history, or visual anthropology.
  • 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:
    This antique print is well preserved, with strong contrast and excellent impression. The sheet has mild toning along the edges and a few handling creases near the margins, but the engraved image area remains clean and crisp.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-13806-651stDibs: LU3054345048902

More From This Seller

View All
Marriage of the Indians of Panama and Land Clearing for the Newlyweds, 1734
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Marriage of the Indians of Panama and Land Clearing for the Newlyweds Description: This detailed 18th-century copper engraving illustrates two important social customs among ...
Category

Antique 1730s Prints

Materials

Paper

Funeral Ceremonies of the Orinoco and Brazilian Indigenous Peoples, 1734
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Funeral Ceremonies of the Orinoco and Brazilian Indigenous Peoples, 1734 Description: This striking copperplate engraving, published in 1734 in Bernard Picart’s monumental *C...
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

Ceremonial Rites: A Human Sacrifice in Otaheite (Tahiti), 1801
Located in Langweer, NL
The title for the provided engraving could be "Ceremonial Rites: A Human Sacrifice in Otaheite," capturing the gravity of the depicted event. This print likely illustrates a solemn a...
Category

Antique Early 1800s Prints

Materials

Paper

Indigenous Rituals and Ceremonies of New Holland, Published iin 1836
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Indigenous Rituals and Ceremonies of New Holland Description: This lithograph, circa 1836, offers a glimpse into the cultural practices of Indigenous Australians in New Hol...
Category

Antique 1830s Prints

Materials

Paper

Religious Ceremony of the Inhabitants of the Island of Hispaniola, 1734
Located in Langweer, NL
Religious Ceremony of the Inhabitants of the Island of Hispaniola, 1734 Description: This vividly hand-colored copperplate engraving, issued in 1734 in Bernard Picart’s monumental w...
Category

Antique 1730s Prints

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

Caribbean Indigenous People / Orinoco, America, mid 19th century lithograph.
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
'Famiglia di Karaibi' / 'Tartarnughe deponenti le uova alle sponde dell' Orenoko'' Italian lithograph, c1841. Originally from 'Galleria universale di tutti i popoli del mondo' by Gi...
Category

Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Funeral Ceremonies of American natives of Guiana and Brasil - 1746-1751
By Gianfrancesco Pivati
Located in Roma, IT
Funeral Ceremonies of natives of Guiana- Funeral Ceremonies of Brasilian indigenouses Etchings, Hand-Watercoloured. Vol. VIII, Plate LXXV Image Dim: cm 25.5 x 18; Sheet Dim: cm 37.5 x 23.8; Passepartout Dim: cm 49 x 34 Very Interesting Etchings ( two pictures in the same matrix), Hand-watercoloured, showing typical Funeral Cerimonies of American natives...
Category

1740s Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Indigenous Costumes - Original Lithograph - 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Indigenous Costumes is an original lithograph realized by an anonymous engraver of the 19th Century. Printed as part of the series "France Pittoresque", as indicated at the top cent...
Category

19th Century Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Indigenous Peoples celebrating, Mexico, America, mid 19th century lithograph.
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
'I Messicani celebrano il principio del secolo' / 'I selvaggi messicani celebrano il fine del secolo' Italian lithograph, c1841. Originally from 'Galleria universale di tutti i popo...
Category

Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Ancient African Customs - Lithograph by Auguste Wahlen - 1844
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient African Customs is a lithograph made by Auguste Wahlen in 1844. Hand colored. Good condition. At the center of the artwork is the original title "Africa" and subtitle "Com...
Category

1840s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Funeral, Indigenous Peoples, Canada, North America, mid 19th century lithograph.
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
'Vettura di Candadesi' / 'Cerimonia per defunli degl' Indiani nel Canada' Italian lithograph, c1841. Originally from 'Galleria universale di tutti i popoli del mondo' by Giuseppe An...
Category

Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph