Antique Print of a Funeral on Ceylon by Baldaeus (1672)

Description: Untitled print of the death of the prince heir, and his burial. Two prints, one with a long burial train including numerous horses, carrying the coffin, covered with cloth. The other shows the coffin set up in a pavillion, with incense burning around it, and several mourners lamenting the departed. This print originates from 'Nauwkeurige beschrijving Malabar en Choromandel, derz. aangrenzend rijken, en het machtige eiland Ceylon'. 

Artists and Engravers: Father Philippus Baldaeus, Baelde or Philip Balde (October 1632, Delft � 1672, Geervliet) was a Dutch minister. He went to Jaffna, Ceylon with an invading Dutch force during 17th Century. As the first European he documented the life, language and culture of Tamil people, living in the north of the island.