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Indian Couple in Ceremonial Palanquin – Sonnerat Engraving, Paris 1806
About the Item
Indian Couple in Ceremonial Palanquin – Sonnerat Engraving, Paris 1806
This richly detailed engraving titled *Les deux époux dans un palanquin, faisant en grande pompe une promenade* (The two spouses in a palanquin, taking a grand ceremonial promenade) is plate number 13 from Pierre Sonnerat’s *Collection de Planches pour servir au Voyage aux Indes Orientales et à la Chine*, published in Paris by Dentu in 1806. It captures the grandeur of a South Indian wedding or aristocratic procession, emphasizing both celebration and cultural symbolism.
At the center of the composition is an elaborately decorated palanquin carried by six strong bearers. Beneath an arched canopy adorned with tassels and shaded by a large parasol, a couple reclines side by side in relaxed elegance. The scene is ceremonial in nature—likely representing a wedding or high-status promenade—framed by a dynamic entourage of musicians and attendants. To the left, several men play curved trumpets and drums, forming a procession that adds a sense of movement and festivity. On the right, additional figures appear to be spectators or relatives, observing the spectacle.
The couple is dressed in fine attire, and the palanquin is adorned with patterned textiles and flags, indicating a celebration of social importance. The mountainous background, distant trees, and domed building walls give the image a spatial depth while framing the scene as one both public and performative.
Sonnerat’s engravings served a dual role: ethnographic documentation and visual storytelling for Enlightenment Europe. His depiction of traditional Indian marriage customs—especially the role of public display and music—conveyed to European viewers the opulence and structure of Indian social rites.
Drawn by Sonnerat and engraved by Poisson, this scene complements others in the series focused on travel, ceremony, and caste hierarchies.
Condition:
Good condition. Strong plate impression with wide margins. Original centerfold as issued. Mild age-related toning and light foxing, mainly at the margins. Paper is clean and stable with blank verso.
Framing suggestion:
Because of the wide horizontal format and strong visual presence, a dark wood or ebonized frame with an archival light mat will work best. Allow space for the full French caption to remain visible. Perfect for cultural or wedding-themed interior displays or historical collections on Indian life and ceremony.
- Dimensions:Height: 11.23 in (28.5 cm)Width: 15.75 in (40 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:Paper,Engraved
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1806
- Condition:Good condition. Strong plate impression with wide margins. Original centerfold as issued. Mild age-related toning and light foxing, mainly at the margins. Paper is clean and stable with blank verso.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-13429-131stDibs: LU3054345003532
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