Professions & Trades · 19th century
€ 200
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good condition with age-typical toning and some foxing, especially in the margins. Plate impressions are strong and the figures remain sharp and clear.
This paired engraving features two detailed depictions of South Indian laborers transporting goods using traditional shoulder-yoke methods. Each figure is captured mid-stride, showcasing the physical endurance and practical ingenuity of local carriers in the 18th century. These figures were labeled by French observers as *Paëni Caori* and *Cachi Caori*, terms likely derived from Tamil or other regional languages, referring to distinct roles or castes of porters.
On the left, the Paëni Caori carries a balanced load suspended from an elegantly curved wooden yoke resting across his shoulders. The load includes a chair-like frame and a bundle, possibly indicating the transportation of personal belongings or trade goods. A temple or architectural structure is visible in the background, anchoring the scene within a cultural context.
On the right, the Cachi Caori is depicted in a mountainous or rocky landscape, also bearing a pole across his shoulders, with conical baskets hanging from either end. His posture and lean physique emphasize the laborious nature of his work, and the minimal terrain in the background highlights his solitary effort and focus.
Both figures are taken from the 1806 edition of Voyage aux Indes Orientales et à la Chine by Pierre Sonnerat (1745–1814), a French naturalist and explorer. The engravings were produced by Jean-Baptiste-Marie Poisson (1747–1820), based on Sonnerat’s observations during his travels in South India. The illustrations provide rare early 19th-century European insight into the roles and conditions of Indian working classes, particularly in the context of local transportation systems before modern infrastructure.
These engravings are valuable for their ethnographic documentation, capturing the dress, posture, and equipment of local workers during the colonial era, and appeal to collectors of Orientalist works, labor history, or travel illustrations.
Condition report:
Good condition with age-typical toning and some foxing, especially in the margins. Plate impressions are strong and the figures remain sharp and clear.
Framing tips:
This side-by-side composition would benefit from a single wide mat and frame in a neutral tone, or could be separated and individually framed for focused display. A natural wood frame will complement the earthy tones of the paper and subject matter.
Technique: Engraving
Maker: J.-B.-M. Poisson after Pierre Sonnerat, Paris, 1806
