'"PARSIS ON GUEBRE AGONISANT, DONT L' AME EST RECUE PAR UN CHIEN. / FUNERAILLES DES PARSIS."'

This print shows a dying Parsis or Guebre whose soul is received by a dog. And a funeral of the Parsis, The Parsis are member of a group of followers in India of the Iranian prophet Zoroaster (or Zarathustra). The Parsis, whose name means 'Persians,' are descended from Persian Zoroastrians who emigrated to India in the 8th century to avoid religious persecution by Muslims. They live chiefly in Mumbai and in a few towns and villages mostly to the north of Mumbai, but also at Karachi (Pakistan) and Bengaluru (Karnataka, India). Although they are not, strictly speaking, a caste, since they are not Hindus, they form a well-defined community.

Made by Claude du Bosc after Bernard Picart.

Medium: Engraving on hand laid (verge) paper.

Sheet size: 32.5 x 33.5 cm (12.8 x 13.19 inch). Image size: 20.5 x 31 cm. (8.07 x 12.2 inch).

Condition: good, given age. Fold. Remains of tapeglue in corners and upper margin on reverse. Small paperloss in upper right corner. Tear restored in left margin. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.

PARSIS-ZARATHUSTRA-ZOROASTER-IRAN-PERSIA-INDIA-PAKISTAN-DOG-FUNERAL-DYING | RBOS-A9-27

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

This attractive print was published In "Illustre ceremonies et coutumes religieuses de tous les peuples du monde", Amsterdam, 1727.

Biography engraver: Claude du Bosc (1684-1745?), attributed to him.

Biography artist: Bernard Picart (1673-1733).