Astronomy · 18th century
€ 240
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
General age related toning and occasional light staining from handling as visible on image. Paper edges occasionally a bit frayed and chipped from handling, not nearly effecting image.
This is an original copperplate engraving on vellin-type paper, dating from a French edition of 1727-1738 of the monumental work "Cérémonies et Coutumes Religieuses..." by A. Moubach, with illustrations adapted by Bernard Picart and other engravers. The plate consists of two distinct scenes, both related to religious rites honoring the Sun.
These rituals would have taken place in ancient or indigenous cultures known for their sun-worshiping practices, potentially in locations such as Ancient Greece or Rome, Persia, Egypt, but in this case most likely the Americas (Inca or Aztec).
1. The upper scene shows the sacrifice of a black lamb. This act of ritual sacrifice takes place during a Fête du Soleil (Feast of the Sun), a religious ceremony meant to appease and honor the solar deity. In the image, we see priests or high-ranking religious figures conducting the sacrificial rite in front of an audience. The lamb is being offered to the deity, likely symbolizing purity and renewal through the shedding of blood. Around the central figures, we observe ceremonial items and possibly altars, suggesting that this is taking place in a temple or sacred space. The architectural elements in the background hint at a grand urban or religious setting, evoking the importance of the ritual.
2. The lower scene depicts a grand feast in honor of the Sun, described as taking place on the day of the Great Ramy. This feast is a lively and chaotic celebration, with people engaged in festive activities, preparing food, and dancing. The scene shows an elaborate gathering, likely outdoors, with trees and possibly ruins in the background. The image emphasizes the communal aspect of the feast, with figures sharing in the abundance, surrounded by offerings, food, and drink. The energetic movement contrasts with the solemnity of the sacrificial rite in the upper image.
What makes these engravings particularly interesting is their detailed portrayal of ancient and foreign religious customs as understood through the European lens of the 18th century. Picart and the other engravers sought to depict a wide variety of religious practices from different cultures, offering a rare glimpse into how these rituals were visualized in the West at the time. The meticulous craftsmanship, combined with the ambitious scope of "Cérémonies et Coutumes Religieuses...", reflects a period of growing curiosity and fascination with global religious diversity during the Enlightenment.
Key words for discovery:
Sun worship, religious rites, sacrifice, black lamb, solar deities, Bernard Picart, Enlightenment engravings, Feast of the Sun, Great Ramy, Cérémonies et Coutumes Religieuses, 18th-century religious prints.
