Sonnerat, Hindu Funeral Ceremony Vaishnavite Rites, Engraving, 1806

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Hindu Funeral Ceremony – Vaishnavite Rites, Sonnerat Engraving, Paris 1806

This powerful engraving titled Funérailles des Indiens de la secte … Read more Hindu Funeral Ceremony – Vaishnavite Rites, Sonnerat Engraving, Paris 1806

This powerful engraving titled Funérailles des Indiens de la secte de Vichenou (Funeral of the Indians of the sect of Vishnu) is plate number 14 from Pierre Sonnerat’s Collection de Planches pour servir au Voyage aux Indes Orientales et à la Chine, published in 1806 in Paris by Dentu.

The scene documents a traditional Hindu cremation ritual as observed by Sonnerat during his travels in 18th-century India, particularly among Vaishnavite communities—devotees of the god Vishnu. The engraving depicts a body laid out on a pyre of stacked wood, shrouded in cloth, surrounded by attendants in various roles. On the right, a man approaches with a lit torch, preparing to ignite the funeral pyre, which was a customary practice in Hindu rites to release the soul (*atma*) from the physical body. Another man bears a water vessel, possibly containing sacred water from the Ganges or another holy source used for ritual purification. A woman, perhaps a mourner or family member, stands in a respectful pose near the torchbearer, wrapped in a simple cloth. To the left, figures participate in preparing the site, while the pyre is elevated and prominently placed at the center of the scene. The rural, open-air setting—complete with gently sloping terrain and distant sky—adds a contemplative stillness to the moment. The composition is solemn, showing a deep respect for ritual detail. Sonnerat’s interest in religious and cultural practices led him to record significant life events, including death and funeral rites. This engraving provides an early European visual interpretation of Hindu cremation, one that fascinated and often mystified Enlightenment audiences in Europe. Though not free from the Orientalist gaze, the plate remains a rare and important document of Hindu ritual practice.

Condition: Good condition. Strong plate impression on laid paper with wide margins. Original centerfold as issued. Light age toning and some scattered foxing, primarily in the margins. Blank verso.

Framing suggestion: Due to the emotional gravity of the subject, choose a subdued presentation: a soft cream or light taupe mat and a slim dark wood frame will suit the composition well. Displaying the French caption within the window enhances historical understanding. Suitable for academic collections, museums, or displays focused on religious history or funeral traditions. See less