Greek Inscriptions from Egypt – Antique Print of Ancient Texts, Pococke 1776
€ 420
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1776
Sheet size
26 × 33.5 cm (10.2 × 13.2 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14102-62, -63
Condition
Very good condition with light age toning and original vertical center fold as issued. Strong impression with clear, sharp text. Sheet edges slightly soft with some minor creases, but no major flaws.
About this sheet
Greek Inscriptions from Egypt – Antique Print of Ancient Texts, Pococke 1776
This intriguing antique print displays a collection of ancient Greek inscriptions found in Egypt, meticulously copied and engraved for the Dutch edition of Richard Pococke’s travel chronicle, Beschryving van het Oosten (Description of the East), published in 1776. The plates are marked Pl. LXXVII and Pl. LXXVI, and present transcriptions of Greek epigraphy from temples, monuments, and public dedications encountered during Pococke’s travels through Egypt.
The inscriptions reflect imperial proclamations, honorific titles, and dedications to Roman emperors and deities, showcasing the significant Hellenistic and Roman influence on Egyptian public life and governance during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. Names such as Tiberius, Germanicus, and various Roman officials appear, indicating the documents span centuries of Greco-Roman administration.
This sheet is a compelling historical document not only for its paleographic interest but also for its contextual role in understanding the cross-cultural landscape of ancient Egypt under foreign rule. Pococke, a pioneering English orientalist and cleric, recorded numerous sites and texts with great care, and his publication is still referenced for its contribution to early archaeology and travel literature.
The layout of the inscriptions—reproduced in precise Greek capitals—mirrors the carved originals. This plate served scholars and antiquarians interested in linguistics, epigraphy, and comparative religion, and remains a fine artifact of Enlightenment-era scholarship.
Condition report: Very good condition with light age toning and original vertical center fold as issued. Strong impression with clear, sharp text. Sheet edges slightly soft with some minor creases, but no major flaws.
Framing tips: This piece will suit a classic black or gold frame, ideally matted in off-white or parchment tones to echo the historic feel. It would pair beautifully in a library, study, or collection of classical or archaeological interest.
Technique: Engraving Maker: Richard Pococke, Dutch edition by E.W. Cramerus, Amsterdam/Utrecht, 1776
