Name/Title
EngravingEntry/Object ID
1986.10.014Description
Engravings from "Histoire Generale des Ceremonies", Benard Picart. Amsterdam, Holland. 1720-1730.
One view on one sheet.
View titled, "Ceremonie Religieuse des Habitans de l'Isle Espagnolle". (Translation, "Religious Ceremony of the Inhabitants of the Island of Espagnolle (Hispaniola?)".) Depicts a cery large dome-roofed structure. The beams that held it together are visible on the inside. Inside walls appear to have some kind of design on them. Inside the sturucture are three statues or figures. The one on the far left is the figure of a man with a beard and hat with several protrusions holding a two-pronged spear in his left hand. The next figure has bird legs and feet, and a man's upper body. It has a half-bird, half-animal head with ears and horns like a cow. Its right hand is on its stomach and in its left hand it holds a two-pronged spear. The third figure has five heads, the middle like a deer with antlers. It holds a three-pronged spear in its right hand. Covering its stomach is the face of a bird. A thick snake (or tail?) is curled around its legs. Men in headdresses stand on each side of this figure. The one on the left is about to hang a necklace on the figure. The one on the right holds a branch with leaves and a necklace. Both men wear capes. All three statues are on platforms. Coming from the left and going around to the front of the structure is a procession of people, about four people wide. The front part of the procession is made up of men in headdresses, various different types of necklaces and arm and leg bands. The first man plays a drum. The rest, and largest part of the procession is of semi-nude women. Behind them, mountains with trees, and one small building are visible. Directly in front of the structure containing the statues, many people, both men and women are gathered. At the left, men sit in a circle on the floor. At the right, men are standing with one woman with long hair. At the far right, a man sits on a square stool playing a drum.Dimensions
Width
16 inDepth
1-1/2 inLength
21 inDimension Notes
Total: 21" x 16" x 1.5".
Sheet: 15 1/8"x 12 1/2"
View: 12 1/2"x 8 1/8"