Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

Hindu Sacred Musicians – Satadéven and Vaïche Navin, 1806

$259.83per set
£195.61per set
€220per set
CA$357.94per set
A$400.87per set
CHF 209.17per set
MX$4,896.40per set
NOK 2,661.19per set
SEK 2,508.49per set
DKK 1,674.67per set

About the Item

Hindu Sacred Musicians – Satadéven and Vaïche Navin, 1806 This finely executed engraving features two South Indian sacred musicians, titled Satadéven and Vaïche Navin, each holding a traditional string instrument and portrayed in the act of musical devotion. These figures reflect the integral role of music in temple worship and public religious life in 18th-century South India. On the left, Satadéven is depicted standing barefoot against a mountainous backdrop, carrying a long-necked string instrument across his shoulders and holding a small bowl in one hand. His attire is minimal, and his upward gaze suggests he is either in a meditative state or on a devotional journey. His high cylindrical headpiece marks him as a distinct religious performer, perhaps linked to itinerant musical traditions. On the right, Vaïche Navin is shown in a more architectural setting, possibly within a temple courtyard. He holds a similar instrument in playing position and appears mid-step, as if in movement. He wears jewelry, a wrapped cloth, and a small vessel balanced on his head, which may serve a ritual function. His dynamic posture and expressive face convey a sense of musical rhythm and spiritual intent. These images are drawn from the 1806 edition of Voyage aux Indes Orientales et à la Chine by French naturalist Pierre Sonnerat (1745–1814), and engraved by Jean-Baptiste-Marie Poisson (1747–1820). Sonnerat documented these figures during his extensive travels through southern India, aiming to present a visual ethnography of Indian religious life. This engraving pair offers a rare early European interpretation of devotional musicians in India, capturing their instruments, dress, and demeanor with a blend of accuracy and exoticism. Ideal for collectors of early music history, South Asian studies, and 19th-century travel illustration. Condition report: Good condition with visible plate marks. Light age-toning and minor foxing, mostly in margins. Strong impression and fine line detail preserved. Framing tips: Display as a diptych in matching dark wood frames with a neutral mat to emphasize symmetry and draw attention to the instrument details and posture. Technique: Engraving Maker: J.-B.-M. Poisson after Pierre Sonnerat, Paris, 1806
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 11.23 in (28.5 cm)Width: 8.27 in (21 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Paper,Engraved
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1806
  • Condition:
    Good condition with visible plate marks. Light age-toning and minor foxing, mostly in margins. Strong impression and fine line detail preserved.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-13429-74, -751stDibs: LU3054346091532

More From This Seller

View All
Hindu Temple Musicians – Tadin and Chief of the Tadins, 1806
Located in Langweer, NL
Hindu Temple Musicians – Tadin and Chief of the Tadins, 1806 Description: This paired engraving features two Indian temple musicians, identified as Tadin and Chef des Tadins (Chief ...
Category

Antique Early 1800s French Prints

Materials

Paper

Hindu Ascetics and Priest – Saniassi, Pandaron, and Carepatré, 1806
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Hindu Ascetics and Priest – Saniassi, Pandaron, and Carepatré, 1806 Description: This composite engraving presents three distinct depictions of Hindu spiritual figures, each ...
Category

Antique Early 1800s French Prints

Materials

Paper

1844 Vibrant Indian Cultural Prints: Musician and Dancer Lithographs
Located in Langweer, NL
"1844 Vibrant Indian Cultural Prints: Musician and Dancer Lithographs" Description: Explore the rich heritage of India with these 1844 handcoloured ...
Category

Antique 1840s Prints

Materials

Paper

Exquisite 1806 Shiva and Vishnu Harihara Print - Hindu Art Treasure
Located in Langweer, NL
Exquisite 1806 Shiva and Vishnu Harihara Print - Hindu Art Treasure Description: This remarkable antique print, titled "Brouma, Dieu Créateur," depicts Brahma, the Hindu god of crea...
Category

Antique Early 1800s Prints

Materials

Paper

Indian Brahmin Penitents and Pilgrim – Rare 18th Century Ritual Engraving, 1734
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Indian Brahmin Penitents and Pilgrim – Rare 18th Century Ritual Engraving Description: This compelling copperplate engraving from the 18th century offers a rare visual study of Indian religious asceticism and devotion as interpreted through a European lens. It likely originates from the later volumes of *The Ceremonies and Religious Customs of Various Nations of the Known World*, the monumental multi-volume series published in Amsterdam and Paris during the early to mid-1700s, with illustrations attributed to Bernard Picart and his collaborators. The sheet is divided into four separately framed scenes, each depicting a unique figure engaged in acts of penance or pilgrimage. The upper left panel shows a seated female "Pénitente Bramine" (Brahmin penitent) under a flowering tree, joined by other women in a meditative or devotional posture. The details, such as the tiger skin mat and ceremonial tools, signal both religious symbolism and ritual practice. The upper right image presents a solitary ascetic woman seated in rigid meditation on what appears to be a stretched animal hide floating in water, holding a prayer bead mala. The caption explains she must never change position, emphasizing the extremity of her discipline. The lower left quadrant is the most dramatic: a male penitent with wild hair stands before a temple with both arms raised straight in the air, said to remain that way until death. Another figure lies prostrate in the grass, illustrating the prescribed sleeping posture for certain penitents—lying flat without ever bending their legs. These powerful visual representations underscore the physical trials undertaken by devout individuals in pursuit of spiritual transcendence. In the lower right, a "Pélerine Bramine" (Brahmin female pilgrim) stands quietly, dressed simply, with a bowl in hand, perhaps engaged in ritual begging or...
Category

Antique 1730s Prints

Materials

Paper

Hindu Couple with Ritual Implements – Poutchari of Darma Raja, 1806
Located in Langweer, NL
Hindu Couple with Ritual Implements – Poutchari of Darma Raja, 1806 This antique engraving titled Poutchari de Darma-Raja presents an intimate scene of a Hindu couple seated on the ...
Category

Antique Early 1800s French Prints

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

Siva, Visnu, Brama - Indian Costumes - Lithograph - 1862
Located in Roma, IT
Siva, Visnu, Brama - Indian Costumes   is a Hand-colored lithograph on paper realized in 1862. The artwork belongs to the Suite Uses and customs of all the peoples of the universe: ...
Category

1860s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

The Other Incarnations of Vishnu - Costumes - Lithograph - 1862
Located in Roma, IT
The other incarnations of Vishnu - Costumes    is an original lithograph on paper realized in 1862. The artwork belongs to the Suite Uses and customs of all the peoples of the unive...
Category

1860s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Uses and Customs - Indian - Lithograph - 1862
Located in Roma, IT
Uses and Customs - Indian is a lithograph on paper realized in 1862. The artwork belongs to the Suite Uses and customs of all the peoples of the universe: " History of the governmen...
Category

1860s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Customs - Rajput - Lithograph - 1862
Located in Roma, IT
Customs - Rajput is a Hand-colored lithograph on paper realized in 1862. Titled on the lower. The artwork belongs to the Suite Uses and customs of all the peoples of the universe :...
Category

1860s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Uses and Customs - Indian Rajah - Lithograph - 1862
Located in Roma, IT
Uses and Customs - Indian Rajah is a lithograph on paper realized in 1862. The artwork belongs to the Suite Uses and customs of all the peoples of the universe: " History of the gov...
Category

1860s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Uses and Customs - Indian - Lithograph - 1862
Located in Roma, IT
Uses and Customs - Indian is a lithograph on paper realized in 1862. The artwork belongs to the Suite Uses and customs of all the peoples of the universe: " History of the governmen...
Category

1860s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph