Sir William Jones – Judge of the Supreme Court of Bengal – European Mag. c.1795

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Sir William Jones – Judge of the Supreme Court of Bengal – European Mag. c.1795

This finely executed antique engraving depicts Sir William Jones (1746-1794), renowned British philologist, orientalist, and judge of the Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William in Bengal. The portrait shows Jones in his judicial wig and bands, within an elaborate oval frame adorned with linear and crosshatched decorative engravings typical of late 18th-century magazine portraiture. The top margin reads ‘European Mag.’, indicating its publication in *The European Magazine*, a prominent monthly periodical of the era featuring biographies of notable figures.

The engraving was created by B. Reading, as stated below the portrait, and published by J. Sewell, Cornhill, a London bookseller and publisher active during the late 18th century. The portrait emphasises Jones’s dignified bearing and intellectual poise, reflecting his reputation as a scholar who founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1784 and for his groundbreaking work linking Sanskrit to Latin and Greek, laying foundations for Indo-European linguistics.

Sir William Jones’s judicial and scholarly career in Bengal marked a turning point in Western studies of Indian law, language, and culture. His translations of classical Indian texts, including works of Kalidasa and legal codes like the *Manusmriti*, broadened European understanding of the subcontinent’s heritage.

Condition report:
Good condition for age. Light general toning, faint foxing to margins, and a small closed tear to the lower edge far from the engraved image. Strong, clear impression with fine detail throughout.

Framing tips:
Frame in an antique black or gold moulding with a generous off-white or cream mount to highlight its detailed linear engraving. Ideal for study, library, or a collection of colonial and Orientalist historical prints.