Pair of Virginia and Florida Natives, America – Mallet Ethnographic Engravings, 1683
Note: The prints are sold unframed
A rare and visually compelling matched pair of 17th-century ethnographic engravings depicting Indigenous peoples of Virginia and Florida, published by Alain Manesson Mallet in his influential geographical compendium Description de l’Univers, first issued in Paris in 1683. Presented together, these two plates form a coherent visual narrative of early French perceptions of North America’s Atlantic seaboard.
The Virginia plate, titled “Ples de Virginie,” depicts a standing male and female figure in an open landscape, rendered with classical European proportions and idealized anatomy. The Florida plate, titled “Ples de la Floride,” presents a comparable couple, the male figure armed with bow and quiver, suggesting hunting and mobility associated with the southern regions. Together, the plates were conceived as part of Mallet’s sequential chapter on America, intended to compare regional “types” rather than document individuals.
Mallet, a military engineer to Louis XIV, was among the most important French geographical authors of the late 17th century. His Description de l’Univers combined cartography, city views, fortifications, and ethnographic imagery into a single encyclopedic vision of the world. The American costume plates, including these two examples, draw upon earlier travel accounts and iconographic traditions while translating them into the refined visual language of French Baroque engraving.
As a pair, these engravings offer a particularly strong decorative and intellectual presence. The consistent engraving style, matching borders, and balanced compositions make them ideal for symmetrical display, while the Virginia–Florida pairing reflects early European attempts to classify and understand the peoples of the New World. Such matched pairs are increasingly sought after by collectors, institutions, and interior designers for their narrative cohesion and wall impact.
CONDITION REPORT Both engravings are in good condition for their age. Light overall toning and minor handling wear consistent with 17th-century impressions. Plate marks visible. Small marginal imperfections and faint spots, not affecting the engraved image. No restorations observed.
FRAMING TIPS These works are best presented as a horizontal diptych in identical frames. Dark walnut, ebonized wood, or black-stained frames with off-white or light parchment mats will enhance the contrast and highlight the fine line engraving. Hang with equal spacing at eye level for a balanced and elegant presentation.
Technique: Copper engraving Maker: Alain Manesson Mallet, Paris, circa 1683
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