Khoikhoi Figures of Southern Africa – Antique Ethnographic Engraving. c.1803

About this sheet

Khoikhoi Figures of Southern Africa – Antique Hand-Colored Ethnographic Engraving (c.1800)
An early 19th-century hand-colored ethnographic engraving depicting two Indigenous Khoikhoi people of Southern Africa, with a rural landscape populated by livestock and farm structures in the background. A seated figure holds a spindle, while the standing figure carries a woven basket and wears layered beadwork, jewelry, and a fur mantle — all characteristic elements of Khoikhoi cultural life.

The historical printed title below the image reads “Hottentotten,” reflecting outdated and now-recognized-as-offensive terminology from the colonial period. Today, this image is valued for its place in the documented history of the Khoikhoi people and for illustrating how European observers of the Enlightenment era viewed cultures beyond their own.

Signed in the plate: “S. Kuyper del.” (artist) and “J. Portman sculp.” (engraver). Published by J. Allart in The Netherlands, circa 1800. Part of a larger ethnographic series recording peoples of Africa, the Pacific, and the wider world during early European exploration.

Condition:
Very good condition for age. Light toning to margins, small scattered spots, minor handling marks. Image remains clean with bright, original hand-coloring and a well-defined plate mark.

Framing Tips:
A natural or dark wood frame pairs well with the earth tones of the image. A warm ivory or sand-colored mat enhances the cultural details. UV-protective glazing recommended.

Technique: Hand-colored engraving
Maker: J. Allart (publisher), after S. Kuyper, engraved by J. Portman
Date: c.1800

Keywords: Khoikhoi South Africa, Southern African ethnography, early anthropology illustration, colonial-era documentation, Enlightenment exploration art, museum quality print, J. Allart publisher, S. Kuyper artist, J. Portman engraver, antique hand-colored engraving, cattle farming history