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François Balthazar Solvyns
Lot 59 Details
A Distant View of India: Books, Maps, Prints and Photographs from the 17th to 20th Century 6-7 August 2025
The Costume of Hindostan: Elucidated by Sixty Coloured Engravings; With Descriptions in English and French, Taken in the Years 1798 and 1799. By Balt. Solvyns, of Calcutta by François Balthazar Solvyns
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Lot 47 Details
REDiscovery 2.0 29-30 January 2025
The Costume of Hindostan: Elucidated by Sixty Coloured Engravings; With Descriptions in English and French, Taken in the Years 1798 and 1799. By Balt. Solvyns by François Balthazar Solvyns
Winning bid $6,977 Rs 6,00,000 (Inclusive of buyer's premium)
Lot 82 Details
Passages to India: A Journey Through Rare Books, Prints, Maps, Photographs, and Letters 24-26 July 2024
The Costume of Hindostan: Elucidated by Sixty Coloured Engravings; with Descriptions in English and French, Taken in the Years 1798 and 1799 by François Balthazar Solvyns
Winning bid $10,120 Rs 8,40,000 (Inclusive of buyer's premium)
Lot 93 Details
Les Hindous: Ou Description de Leurs Moeurs, Coutumes et Ceremonies [Rothschild Collection] by François Balthazar Solvyns
Winning bid $137,349 Rs 1,14,00,000 (Inclusive of buyer's premium)
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Lot 41 Details
Absolute Tuesdays: Old Maps and Vintage Prints 7 January 2025
Untitled [Set of ...
a) Frans Balthazar...
View Dimensions b) Frans Balthazar SolvynsSyce, GroomHand-coloured etching on paperPrint size: 14 x 9.25 in (35.5 x 23.7 cm)Sheet size: 17.25 x 12.5 in (43.7 x 32 cm)With Mount: 23 x 18.5 in (58.7 x 47 cm)Plate 2 from the 4th Volume of Les Hindoûs, Paris: Chez L'Auteur, 1808-1812Below is the descriptive text as illustrated behind the print and is accompanied with it."The Syce runs always by the side of the horse entrusted to his care, or when his master goes in his carriage, and is sure to keep pace with him, and return less fatigued than he, whatever may be the rate of going or length of the road. This servant is of an inferior class and very poor, generally debauched and in very low estimation: they are mussulmans, and notwithstanding their laborious life attain a great age. The print represents a Syce running before his master, with a chowry and a rope in his hand in case of need. In the back ground is an old Syce sitting before the stable near his horse and smoking the Hooka. The domestic occupation of the Syce is to feed his horse who eats on the ground, as there are no recks. In some parts they have a singular method of nourishing their horses: they boil the oats or gram, and make it into little balls, which they thrust into their mouths one at each side, but these are bad habits. The Syce inhabits the stable, and frequently the whole family lies alongside the horse." Above is the descriptive text as illustrated behind the print and is accompanied with it.Frans Balthazar Solvyns (1760–1824)Belgian marine artist Frans Balthazar Solvyns lived in Calcutta between 1791 and 1803 and is considered one of the earliest printmakers in India, besides Thomas Daniell. During his time in India, he documented 18th-century Indian culture and habitats, including the people, their occupations, festivals, and religious customs.Solvyns produced a remarkable series of engravings which were first published in Calcutta in 1796 and 1799. Due to lack of financial success, Solvyns left for Europe. Unfazed by his failure, he issued a second, expanded edition of Les Hindous in Paris in 1808–12 that was reorganised and consisted of four volumes, bilingual descriptive text in French and English, and a few extra plates for a total of 288.Les Hindous, which explores an incredibly intimate and detailed portrait of a people at a specific historical moment, features members of a wide range of professions and social classes in India. It also shows us festivals and sacred rites, animals, birds and insects, trees, and crops, as well as the different types of boats, carriages, and musical instruments that were in common use at the time. Every individual and thing is rendered in close detail by an educated and curious eye, and sometimes with humour, sometimes with a sombre grandeur.The plates from the present lot are from the French edition of Les Hindous.(Set of two)These works will be shipped unframedNON-EXPORTABLEThis lot will be shipped in "as is" condition. For further details, please refer to the images of individual lots as reference for the condition.
Winning bid $282 Rs 24,000 (Inclusive of buyer's premium)
Lot 42 Details
View Dimensions b) Frans Balthazar SolvynsAyahHand-coloured etching on paperPrint size: 14.25 x 9.25 in (36 x 23.7 cm)Sheet size: 17.25 x 12.5 in (43.7 x 31.7 cm)With Mount: 23 x 18.5 in (58.7 x 47 cm)Plate 3 from the 4th Volume of Les Hindoûs, Paris: Chez L'Auteur, 1808-1812Below is the descriptive text as printed on the reverse of the print."There are other females who fill the place of ladies maid: they are the confidants of their mistresses, and attach vast importance to their employment. Some of them acquire such an ascendency over them, that they become absolutely indispensable. It is true that they are in general very discreet, but their secrecy is always in proportion to the money and presents which they receive. They are mostly from upper Hindoostan, and are not so cleanly as those we have just mentioned. The one I have drawn has the mussulmans costume, wide drawers down to her feet, and a fuller drapery than the preceding Ayah." Above is the descriptive text as printed behind the print.Frans Balthazar Solvyns (1760–1824)Belgian marine artist Frans Balthazar Solvyns lived in Calcutta between 1791 and 1803 and is considered one of the earliest printmakers in India, besides Thomas Daniell. During his time in India, he documented 18th-century Indian culture and habitats, including the people, their occupations, festivals, and religious customs.Solvyns produced a remarkable series of engravings which were first published in Calcutta in 1796 and 1799. Due to lack of financial success, Solvyns left for Europe. Unfazed by his failure, he issued a second, expanded edition of Les Hindous in Paris in 1808–12 that was reorganised and consisted of four volumes with bilingual descriptive text in French and English and a few extra plates for a total of 288.Les Hindous, which explores an incredibly intimate and detailed portrait of a people at a specific historical moment, features members of a wide range of professions and social classes in India. It also shows us festivals and sacred rites, animals, birds and insects, trees and crops, as well as the different types of boats, carriages and musical instruments that were in common use at the time. Every individual and thing is rendered in close detail by an educated and curious eye, and sometimes with humour, sometimes with a sombre grandeur.The plates from the present lot are from the French edition of Les Hindous.(Set of two)These works will be shipped unframedNON-EXPORTABLEThis lot will be shipped in "as is" condition. For further details, please refer to the images of individual lots as reference for the condition.
Lot 43 Details
a) Frans Balthazar SolvynsA...
View Dimensions b) Frans Balthazar SolvynsA Sloop1799Original hand-coloured etching on paper mounted on paperPrint Size: 15.75 x 11 in (39.8 x 27.5 cm)With Mount: 22 x 17 in (55.5 x 43.3 cm)Plate No. 3 from Section 9 of A Collection of Two Hundred and Fifty Coloured Etchings Descriptive of the Manners, Customs and Dress of the Hindoos published by Mirror Press, Calcutta, 1799Both the prints are mounted to larger sheets within manuscript-ruled borders, with printed titles, sections, and plate numerals pasted in margins.Frans Balthazar Solvyns (1760–1824)Belgian marine artist Frans Balthazar Solvyns lived in Calcutta between 1791 and 1803 and is considered one of the earliest printmakers in India besides Thomas Daniell. During his time in India, he documented 18th-century Indian culture and habitats, including the people, their occupations, festivals, and religious customs.Solvyns, residing in Calcutta from 1791 until 1803, produced a remarkable series of engravings depicting the people and culture he observed. His landmark work A Collection of Two Hundred and Fifty Coloured Etchings Descriptive of the Manners, Customs and Dress of the Hindoos published by Mirror Press, Calcutta, 1799, documented for the first time the vibrant and multifaceted life of Bengal through exquisite hand-coloured etchings. Among these, the "Pleasure Boats" series in Section 8 stands out, illustrating the elegant river vessels used by the elite for leisure and transport along the Ganges. These depictions capture the artistry and functionality of traditional Bengali boat-making, showcasing intricately designed structures that blend utility with aesthetic finesse, integral to the region's cultural heritage. Solvyns' meticulous renderings offer a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of 18th-century Bengal and the deep connection of its people to riverine traditions.(Set of two)This lot will be shipped unframed.NON-EXPORTABLEThis lot will be shipped in "as is" condition. For further details, please refer to the images of individual lots as reference for the condition.
Winning bid $311 Rs 26,400 (Inclusive of buyer's premium)
Lot 44 Details
View Dimensions b) Frans Balthazar SolvynsA Feal Chara1799Original hand-coloured etching on paper mounted on paperPrint Size: 11 x 15.5 in (27.5 x 39.5 cm)With Mount: 17 x 22 in (43.3 x 55.5 cm)Plate No.2 from Section 8 of A Collection of Two Hundred and Fifty Coloured Etchings Descriptive of the Manners, Customs and Dress of the Hindoos published by Mirror Press, Calcutta, 1799Both the prints are mounted to larger sheets within manuscript-ruled borders, with printed titles, sections, and plate numerals pasted in margins. Frans Balthazar Solvyns (1760–1824)Belgian marine artist Frans Balthazar Solvyns lived in Calcutta between 1791 and 1803 and is considered one of the earliest printmakers in India besides Thomas Daniell. During his time in India, he documented 18th-century Indian culture and habitats, including the people, their occupations, festivals, and religious customs.Solvyns, residing in Calcutta from 1791 until 1803, produced a remarkable series of engravings depicting the people and culture he observed. His landmark work A Collection of Two Hundred and Fifty Coloured Etchings Descriptive of the Manners, Customs and Dress of the Hindoos published by Mirror Press, Calcutta, 1799,documented for the first time the vibrant and multifaceted life of Bengal through exquisite hand-coloured etchings. Among these, the "Pleasure Boats" series in section 8 stands out, illustrating the elegant river vessels used by the elite for leisure and transport along the Ganges. These depictions capture the artistry and functionality of traditional Bengali boat-making, showcasing intricately designed structures that blend utility with aesthetic finesse, integral to the region's cultural heritage. Solvyns' meticulous renderings offer a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of 18th-century Bengal and the deep connection of its people to riverine traditions.(Set of two)This lot will be shipped unframed.NON-EXPORTABLEThis lot will be shipped in "as is" condition. For further details, please refer to the images of individual lots as reference for the condition.
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