Antique Print of the Burying Ceremony of Kings and Priests of Florida

€ 130

Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)

Sheet size: 39.5 × 24.7 cm (15.6 × 9.7 in)
Condition: Good
Reference: BGI-01132

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

Please review the images for further condition details.

About this sheet

The burial of a Florida chief, an engraving by Bernard Picart from the Dutch edition (1727-1738) of "Naaukeurige beschryving der godtsdienst-plichten, kerk-zeden en gewoontens van alle volkeren der waereldt". The caption, in French, reads "Maniere d'enterrer les Rois, et Pretres de la Floride", and the sheet is credited "B. Picart" at the lower left.

A low mound ringed with arrows stuck upright in the ground stands at the center, with a shell placed on top. A large crowd of mourners sits in a circle around it, and one figure at the right stands over the grave. Behind them a palisaded village of round huts is on fire, sending up dark clouds of smoke that fill the upper right of the sky, while hills and a few trees mark the distance and small figures run along a path at the left.

The plate belongs to Picart's survey of the religious ceremonies and customs of all nations, first issued in French between 1721 and 1725, the most elaborate history of world religion up to that time. It was adapted from earlier sources, including de Bry's illustrations of Florida.