Ethnic Elegance: The Mordvin Attire of 19th-Century Russia Engraved, 1814
€ 330
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1814
Sheet size
24 × 17 cm (9.4 × 6.7 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13605-4-33 & BG-13605-4-36 & BG-13605-4-37
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Very good, given age. General age-related soiling, toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling, adding to its patina. Please study scans carefully.
About this sheet
The engravings offer a valuable glimpse into the traditional dress of the Mordvin people, an ethnic group from the region of Mordovia in Russia. The "Picturesque Representations of the Dress and Manners of the Russians" serves as an important historical document, giving insight into the regional variations in attire within Russia during the early 19th century.
The specific details:
- "A female Mordvine, shewing the back part of her dress" provides a rare perspective of the rear details of the costume, highlighting the intricate patterns and designs that might be overlooked from the front.
- "A Mordvine of the Mokshan tribe" depicts the attire of the Mokshan, one of the two major subgroups of the Mordvin people, showcasing the unique cultural attributes of their clothing.
- "An old Mordvine woman of the Mokshan tribe" gives us a view of the differences in dress based on age within the same ethnic group, potentially indicating variations in color, pattern, and ornamentation that denote social status or age.
These illustrations are not just artistic representations; they serve as ethnographic records, preserving the diversity of Russian cultural dress from a period when photography was not available to capture such details.
