Marriage Inside a Japanese Temple

DESCRIPTION: This is an 18th-century copperplate engraving titled "A Japanese Temple, in which the Priest is performing their Nuptial Ceremonies," published for Millar's New Complete Universal System of Geography. Engraved by Page (after Samuel Wale’s artwork) for George Henry Millar’s comprehensive geography publications during the late 18th century (c. 1780s–1790s), this European fantasy or imaginative Western depiction of a Japanese marriage ceremony inside an open-air pavilion structure during the Edo period (1603-1868). It displays classical Western architectural framing and figures dressed in pseudo-orientalist robes, reflecting how 18th-century European geographers visually interpreted distant cultures. The publication’s grandiose claim of superiority is writ large toward the top of the print: ‘An Elegant performance including all the Modern Discoveries, and Universally Acknowledged to be the Best Geographical Work ever published’. STYLE:Engraving COLOUR: Monochrome SIZE (cm): 20 x 30 CREATORS: Page after Samuel Wale PUBLICATION: Millar's New Complete Universal System of Geography PUBLISHER: DATE: c1770 COMMENTS: Excellent condition. Laid paper with plate marks. SUBJECT: Ethnography & Exploration PACKAGE: Note: Images are provided for illustration purposes only and are intended to show the complete printed product, including any imperfections of age that may be present. Frames or props shown in the images are for display purposes only and are not included with your purchase.