STEEL ENGRAVING – “THE CASHMERE BASTION, DELHI, SEPT. 14, 1857” from the original bas-relief sclpture by John Henry Foley, engraved by E. Roffe, published in 1878.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 6 5/8” x 10”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing.

     Numerous objects, such as are presented in this engraving, could only have been dealt with by a sculptor in bas-relief.  Even in that species of work many difficulties must have presented themselves in maintaining a general unity, but the artist has managed his heterogeneous materials with great adroitness, and the arrangement is both pleasant and effective.  The work was executed for a monument to Brigadier-General Nicholson, one of the heroes of the Indian Mutiny who fell at the storming of Delhi by the British, in 1857.  General Nicholson was an Irishman by birth, and the monument was erected in Lisburn Cathedral, county Antrim.  At the breaking out of the Sepoy Rebellion in India, General Nicholson offers to make head against the rebel forces.   After several brilliant actions, he arrived before Delhi to take part in the siege operations, and was chosen one of the leaders of the assault.  Entering the town at the head of a storming party, he fell desperately wounded, and died very shortly afterwards.

    Mr. Foley’s work represents the Cashmere Bastion, through which the storming party entered the city.  The breach is covered by the dead and dying, while the victorious troops are pushing forward to the encounter.  The colors planted on the wall is a signal that the point has been won, and already the leading files of the supports are beginning to clamber up the scaling ladders to reinforce their comrades in advance.  The wounded soldier, careless of his hurt, is cheering on his fellow to victory.  The scene is most vividly rendered, and is a fitting monument to the memory of a brave man.

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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