STEEL ENGRAVING – “MOSES STRIKING THE ROCK” from the original sculpture by Joseph Durham, engraved by W. Roffe, published in 1878.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 8 ¾” x 6”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing.

   This very beautiful design, which was executed in bronze under the supervision of Mr. Durham, owes its origin to a useful and humane practice which was in common use in London,–that of placing public drinking - fountains, at various points, in the city.  The design filled one of the panels at the base of a fountain occupying a position in the space in front of Guildhall.  The subject adopted by the artist was most appropriate to the purpose for which the design was intended.  The account of Moses relieving the wants of the Israelites in Rephidim, by striking the rock at Horeb, is one of the most familiar incidents in the Bible narrative, and in the connection in which occurs, the lesson in teaches is readily suggested to the parched wayfarers who may stop to quench their thirst in the dusty London street.

     In this alto-relievo, the figure of the great Hebrew leader and lawgiver is imposing.  He stands seemingly in reverential awe, his hand stretched slightly forward, and his head partially bent, contemplating the stream which flows from the till now arid rock, and possibly wondering at the miraculous power which the Almighty has conferred upon him.  On the other side is a young Jewish mother a cup of water to the lips of her infant, whose child-like eagerness, increased by long suffering, has caused it to press the vessel to its mouth, as if otherwise it could not drink enough.  The action of the child is very true to nature, and doubtless the mother – with that characteristic love for her offspring for which Hebrew matrons have in all ages been famous – has supplied the wants of her child before she has thought of satisfying her own necessities.  The work is of small dimensions, but it possesses considerable merits.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE

Antique prints, etchings, engravings, and lithographs are printing processes, which use steel, copper, stone or wood blocks or plates to produce a picture on paper.

Most antique prints and engravings, which are seen on the internet today, are bookplates.  Because they are pages from a book, there are multiple copies in existence.  This does not, however, mean that they are "reproductions" that have been printed recently.  Because they were, at some point, part of books, some have been preserved in excellent condition, while others show signs of age, as yellow spots or darkness on the edge of the page from being handled.

Engravings, and lithographs are high quality pieces of art, as it took a highly trained artist many hours of work to produce one.  Although there may be multiple copies still in existence, the date of the item should be stated, thus giving the buyer an idea of its age.

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